his musical life began as a chorister at canterbury cathedral. at 15 he ran away to paris hoping to study with olivier messiæn. on returning he built up a large church choir in kingston surrey over four years, and studied privately under the guidance of harpsichordist jane clark and her husband, composer stephen dodgson, which included conducting studies with nicholas conran (surrey u) and sergiu celibidache stockholm. his organ teachers were allan wicks (canterbury cathedral) and alan harverson (rcm).