John Witchell has played the organ for most of his life – in churches in London , Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire and as a freelance recitalist.  Presently he leads the music at the Church of St Peter and St Paul , Olney.   He graduated from the University of London in 1972 and for sixteen years directed the music in several secondary schools, including Northampton School for Boys, Magdalen College School , Brackley and Hemel Hempstead School .  Within a busy schedule of music-making and teaching his school choirs appeared with distinction in the Sainsbury’s Choir of the Year and the International Choral Festival in Montreux.  

Later he became County Adviser for Music in Hertfordshire and head of the music service. During that time the service received the National Council Major Trophy for Music Education five times and its young musicians performed in major venues throughout the UK .  One of his fondest and most challenging memories is that of directing commissioned pieces for massed choirs in the Royal Albert Hall.    

John was the founder conductor of the London Camerata and Kettering Chamber Choir.  However, as Chief Executive of the Federation of Music Services and chair of the Music Education Council he spent considerable time arguing the case for music education and supporting music services throughout the country rather than making music himself.   

Since his retirement from full-time work he is once more enjoying practical music - accompanying the Danesborough Chorus and, with mixed results, learning the double bass!  He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and when not engaged with music he runs along the pathways by the Great Ouse River which are close to his home in Willington.