Music

‘In 1982 the organist of one of the Wren churches in the City asked me to stand in for him [at St James], and he never came back – so I’ve stood in for him for 35 years.’

Sir Andrew Parmley, Honorary Organist


St James Garlickhythe has a fine tradition of celebrating the greatest in English choral music. Our honorary organist is Sir Andrew Parmley, currently the Chief Executive of the Royal College of Organists.

We have a number of choirs that rotate through the month.

  • The St James Choir – ­our resident choir of professional singers
  • The Thames Chamber Choir – an east London chamber choir under the baton of Andrew Campling
  • The English Chamber Choir – one of London's leading ensembes under Guy Protheroe
  • Stellae Cantores – our home grown ensemble who, when they aren’t singing, are ringing the church bells.
A wooden carved cherub blowing a gold trumpet on top of the organ
A cherub atop the organ
St James Garlickhythe's 1718 Knoppel church organ behind a chandelier
St James Garlickhythe's 1718 Knoppel church organ

The church organ was originally thought to be a Father Smith of 1697 but turned out to be a 1718 Knoppel.

It’s a three manual organ, with pedals added in 1888. In 2007, our Honorary Organist, Sir Andrew Parmley, launched a major restoration programme which raised £325,000.

If you wish to know more about our music, please contact the parish administrator at adminSJG@london.anglican.org.