Sebastian Thomson :: Choral Director, Organist and Singer

Sebastian Thomson is a freelance musician based in Oxford having relinquished his position as Director of Music at St Matthew’s Church, Northampton. He was a chorister at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford before moving to Harrow School with the top music scholarship. Sebastian was then awarded the Bristol University Organ Scholarship where he studied with Mark Lee. After three years, he moved to Chichester Cathedral as Organ Scholar for a year to gain more experience in choral accompaniment.

Sebastian currently directs and accompanies a number of Oxford’s finest

professional choirs, examines for the RSCM, and is a staff member for the Eton Choral Courses. He is also a peripatetic teacher at Eton College and Northamptonshire Grammar School. Sebastian combines this with a busy recital schedule which this year includes, Westminster Cathedral, King’s College Cambridge and St Paul’s Cathedral. As part of his commitment to new music, an organ piece by David Bednall has been commissioned this year to be premiered at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Whilst working in Northampton, Sebastian was in constant demand as a choral director, organist and singer. St Matthew’s has a deserved reputation as having an excellent musical tradition. The choir performs twice a week to a consistently high standard and has recently been described by Dr. John Bertalot (former Director of Music 1958-1964) as “a choir which already can sing the socks off many other fine church choirs but also whose prospects for the near future are even more bright.”

After a fifteen year absence, Sebastian restored the musical commissioning scheme which the late Walter Hussey introduced to St Matthew’s so successfully. David Briggs wrote a Toccata for St Matthew’s Day which was premiered on 21st September 2008 for solo organ and a Missa Brevis was written for choir and organ in 2009 by David Bednall.

Sebastian made an appearance as organist and speaker on Radio 3 in November 2006 with a performance of Benjamin Britten’s Prelude and Fugue on a theme of Vittoria, a work commissioned by St Matthew’s in 1946. Organ studies continue with international recitalists, David Goode and David Briggs. As well as being an Associate member of the Royal College of Organists, Sebastian was a prize winner in the Choral Training Diploma examination from the College.

Sebastian’s debut CD A Theme of Vittoria was released on the Priory label with excellent reviews:

"For me, the final work (Brigg's Greensleeves variations) is the highlight of a disc which is overall, a fine recording of both player and the justly celebrated instrument, captured with clarity - at times thrilling."

(Organists’ Review February 2009)

"Sebastian Thomson's playing is energetic, expressive and secure. An enjoyable disc and very much worth hearing."

(Church Music Quarterly, March 2009)

"This is a thoughtful tribute to a monumental cathedral-sized organ: if the Britten seems insipid, then this says more about the work itself than about Sebastian Thomson's excellent playing."

(Choir & Organ, May 2009)

If you would like to download Sebastian Thomson's biography in PDF format, please select one of the downloads below.

Sebastian Thomson Biography (59 KB)
Sebastian Thomson Biography (Abbreviated) (47 KB)

Also available for download is a hi-resolution portrait photo of Sebastian for publication purposes.

Sebastian Thomson Portrait (JPG Format)