John Ellis is an organist and composer based in the northwest of England.

As well as playing regularly for church services, Dr Ellis also performs his own music and that of composers past and present to audiences in diverse venues.

As a composer, John has been successful in various prestigious competitions, including a commission to write new music to be performed on the restored organ of St Botolph's Church in the City of London.

John is keen to pursue new commissions and opportunities to share his music through performance.

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John Ellis 1943-2010


John Ellis passed away at home on Monday 26th April 2010.
Please forward any enquiries to John's daughter, Siri.
siri.ellis@btinternet.com
Posted by John Ellis / 29 April 2010 /

New Organ CD - now released

              A new CD of John Ellis Organ Music has just been released by the divine-art label.
The recently renovated organ of Bolton Parish Church is shown to great effect by the recitalist, Robin Walker, who delights in the registrations available, and brilliantly interprets the music.  The compositions include Variations, Scherzo, Chorales, a Toccata, Minuet, Voluntaries etc., and concludes with the composer's most substantial work, a large scale four movement Organ Symphony ( Fantasie - Scherzo - Adagio - Passacaglia ).
Log on to www.divine-art.com for more details of the CD or contact John himself - john.ellis78@btinternet.com
 
 
 
Posted by John Ellis / 16 March 2010 /

Second Prize in Organ Composition Competition

           John has just been awarded second prize in the Brindley and Foster Organ Composition Competition.
This was organised by the "Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland" based in Freemason's Hall, George St, Edinburgh :
The competiton was held in Autumn 2009 to celebrate the renovation of the organ there, and a substantial 10 minute piece was requested in the conditions of the competition.
The "Allegro and Passacaglia" will be played by Simon Nieminski at the Opening Recital - 7.30pm on Saturday, March 27th 2010.
 
Posted by John Ellis / 13 February 2010 /

New Music Published

Two of the pieces featured on my forthcoming CD are available from Animus Music Publishing.

Read more »
Posted by John Ellis / 19 January 2010 /

Biography

John Ellis, born 1943, qualified in Medicine at Manchester University and then, specialising in Paediatrics, held an NHS Consultant post until retiring in 2002. He has a life-long interest in playing the piano and organ, obtaining the ARCO whilst working in Bolton, with tuition from William Morgan FRCO, of Bolton Parish Church.

John has held a number of church organist posts, including, St Mary's Parish Church in Prestwich, Manchester (1997-2009). Currently he is Organist at Bury Parish Church.

He commenced composing seriously comparatively late, and mainly for the organ, with pieces ranging from church voluntaries to recital items. Ronald Frost has recorded some of his works and Oecumuse and Animus Music Publishing have published a selection.

His choral works - anthems, cantatas, etc - have been performed by a number of choirs in the North West and recently he has increasingly composed for soprano with organ/piano accompaniment.Recent delights have been to receive First Prize in the Edinburgh Organ Academy 2004 Organ Composition Competition and to be awarded a commission by SPNM/Heritage Lottery Fund for the newly restored St Botolph Organ, Aldgate, London.