Musicians

Musicians

Christopher Woodward - Director of music

Christopher has been Director of Music at St Barnabas, Dulwich since August 2020, where he is responsible for the renowned adult choir. In 2021, he founded Dulwich Children’s Choir to inspire children in Years 3 to 8 to become confident and enthusiastic choristers.

Previously, Christopher spent six years as Organist and Director of Music at All Saints’ Church, Putney Common, where he led a successful music programme. He directed a fine adult chamber choir and a team of choral scholars each week, and established the Putney Treblemakers – a children’s choir attracting around forty singers weekly. The choir recorded a CD of Christmas music, and many of its members went on to become cathedral choristers, join the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain, or compete in the BBC Young Chorister of the Year competition.

Christopher studied at both King’s College London and the Royal Academy of Music, and is an Associate of the Royal College of Organists. As a recitalist, he has performed at major British cathedrals, including Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Southwark Cathedral. He currently studies conducting with Neil Ferris.

Between 2017 and 2024, Christopher led the Music Department at Newton Prep – one of London’s largest and most prestigious prep school music departments. During this time, he created two acclaimed series of music education videos, directed the English Chamber Orchestra, toured multiple cathedrals, and supported numerous pupils in gaining music scholarships to top senior schools.

Since September 2024, Christopher has worked for Dukes Education – a family of schools and colleges educating over 22,000 pupils across the UK and Europe. He is a qualified teacher, with experience in both the state and independent sectors, and remains passionate about inspiring children with a life-long love of music.

MARILYN HARPER - CHRIST'S CHAPEL ORGANIST

Marilyn Harper has been Organist at Christ’s Chapel since 2000. Following retirement in 2012 from JAGS, she continues to be active as Organ Teacher at JAGS and  a piano and theory teacher at JASSPA. Marilyn is also an Accredited Teacher for the Royal College of Organists. Inspired to learn the organ from early teenage years in Lancashire, her studies continued at the former Royal Manchester College of Music, before she became Organ Scholar at Girton College, Cambridge. Studies were with John Rutter and Dame Gillian Weir. After the restoration of the organ in the chapel in 2009, Marilyn established a Sunday evening series of free recitals, to be resumed post-covid. In middle age, Marilyn took part in master classes in London and Cambridge, has given recitals in the UK and accompanied choirs in Anglican Cathedrals and in Europe. Past honorary posts include Chair of the Southwark and South London Society of Organists and Secretary of the London Organ Concerts Guide. Marilyn is married to Norman. They have two sons, who both flourished in the musical life at St Barnabas.