Andrew Nethsingha

Organist and Master of the Choristers

Appointed Organist and Master of the Choristers in January 2023, Andrew Nethsingha is the Abbey’s director of music and principal conductor of the Abbey Choir. He is the head of the Abbey music department and is responsible for all musical aspects of the Abbey’s work.

Before taking up his appointment at Westminster Abbey, Andrew spent fifteen years as Director of Music at St John’s College, Cambridge. Under his direction the acclaimed Choir of St John’s toured extensively, including in North America, South Africa, the Far East and throughout Europe, and released over 25 recordings.

As a conductor Andrew Nethsingha has worked with many leading orchestras in the UK and further afield including the Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, London Mozart Players, Britten Sinfonia, Orchestra of St Luke’s (New York), Aarhus Symfoniorkester and BBC Concert Orchestra. He has performed at venues and festivals across the world including the BBC Proms, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Verbier Festival, Tokyo Suntory Hall, Konzerthaus Berlin and Singapore Esplanade.

Education and early career

Andrew received his early musical education as a chorister at Exeter Cathedral under the direction of his father Lucian Nethsingha. He later studied at the Royal College of Music, where he won seven prizes, and at St John’s College, Cambridge. He held Organ Scholarships under Christopher Robinson at St George’s Windsor and George Guest at St John’s before becoming Assistant Organist at Wells Cathedral. He was subsequently Director of Music at Truro and Gloucester Cathedrals, and Artistic Director of the Gloucester Three Choirs Festival.