John Halsey MA, MBA, BMus, FRCO(CHM), ARCM, has been Organist & Choirmaster of Windsor Parish Church since 2006 and Director of Music across the three parishes in the benefice since 2007. John is a trustee of the Royal School of Church Music and leader of the RSCM Thames Valley Area team, and is Berkshire Consultant for the Royal College of Organists. Having retired from careers in industry and education, he remains active as a teacher of organ, piano and theory of music in Slough and Windsor and gives regular organ recitals in Reading and Newbury. He is rehearsal accompanist for Windsor & Eton Choral Society. As a cellist, he plays in the orchestra of Chelsea Opera Group.
In the 1970s and 80s, John studied organ with Richard Popplewell, cello with Christopher Bunting and singing with Geoffrey Mitchell. As a student, he was a member of the National Youth Orchestra and the Choir of King's College, Cambridge. Following several years as a Gentleman-in-Ordinary in the Choir of HM Chapels Royal St James's Palace, John was appointed Director of Music of St Luke's, Chelsea in 1985. Working overseas 1991-2001, John was at different times Organist of the Anglican Chaplaincy, Strasbourg, France and Acting Organist of Wangaratta Cathedral, Victoria, Australia.