Organist/Director

Organist/Choir Director

Christian Thomas

I was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone. At the age of 10 I joined a local church choir Bethel Methodist, where my father was a chorister. On leaving school I attended a polytechnic and was later employed at the Sierra Leone External Telecoms in 1990.  I worked as a telecoms technician, at the Satellite Earth Station in Wilberforce Village for 11 years. After having piano lesson from a local organist, I developed within my choir and had the opportunity to train church choirs within my domain. I was appointed assistant organist in 1998 and was responsible for weekly choir practice. Our choir performed a Cantata or Oratorio twice a year. In England I served as an organist at St Philips Avondale square from 2001 – 2004, and was appointed organist at St John’s Angell town in 2005. I was awarded a Bachelor’s degree in music (BMus Hons) at Canterbury Christ Church University. As member of Cantata choir a student ensemble, directed by Professor Grenville Hancox I had the opportunity to sing in UK’s finest cathedrals. I was taught conducting techniques by Professor Paul Edlin, and conducted my arrangements. I am a music teacher at St John’s Catholic Comprehensive, Gravesend. My passion for music has led me to embark on choral compositions whose rhythmic themes are based on local Sierra Leone music. This project will enable me not only to contribute towards the development of music in Sierra Leone, but to preserve it’s identity for use in schools and churches.