Qualifications

MA, DMus, FRCO, FRSCM, FGCM, Hon RAM

Academic background

My links with Christ Church began in the early 1970s, as Organ Scholar under Simon Preston. Subsequently, I became Assistant Organist at Canterbury Cathedral, and then Master of the Music at St Alban's Abbey, where I ran the International Organ Festival. In 1985 I returned to Christ Church as Organist and Tutor in Music, and from 1998-2000 I was President of the Royal College of Organists. I was Choragus of the University of Oxford and one of only two Oxford Doctors of Music in the Music Faculty. I retired in July 2018 after 33 years in post but will be returning as Interim Director of Music from January to July 2024.

Research interests

I am particularly interested in music in England in the late 19th century, 18th-century Neapolitan sacred music, and English sacred music of the late 15th and early 16th centuries.

Featured publications

I have an extensive discography, comprising over fifty CDs, includes several award-winning research-related recordings on labels such as EMI, Avie, Coro, Nimbus and Metronome. In recent years, these have included a 5-CD set of Music from the Eton Choirbook and a première recording of F. Durante’s Requiem. A full discography may be found on https://www.sdarlington.com.

Other interests and activities

I enjoy walking, reading novels, travel and washing up.

Photo credit: Wiley Stewart for WDAV