Dr John Birch

Wednesday 2 May 2012

Dr John Birch, senior professor of organ at the RCM for many years, died on 28 April.

John was an RCM alumnus, studying with John Dykes Bower, first for a year in 1947 and later returning to complete his studies from 1950 to 1953 after his period of National Service. He was awarded a Fellowship of the RCM in 1981.

John was Director of Music at Chichester Cathedral for 22 years, and conducted the British premiere of Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms. He also served as Director of Music at Temple Church from 1982 for 15 years and was curator organist at the Royal Albert Hall. 

John was an art collector and had a real visual eye. He designed the RCM masters and doctoral robes that are still in use today.

A Requiem Mass will be held at All Saints, Margaret Street at 6.30pm on Tuesday 15 May.