Charles Francis is a British-born organist who is earning increasing recognition as a young performer. Charles studies at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York where he studies with Prof. Nathan Laube. In addition, Charles is Assistant Organist at Third Presbyterian Church, Rochester, as well as Organist for the acclaimed Christ Church Schola Cantorum.

 

Charles completed his undergraduate studies at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (UK) where he studied with Daniel Moult, Nicholas Wearne, and received frequent coaching with Professor Martin Schmeding. His playing has been broadcast on both British and American radio - the latter performing live on the radio program, 'Pipedreams'.

 

Charles’ playing has earned him various accolades including First Prizes in both the IAO/RCO Organ Playing Competition (Edinburgh, 2022) and The Dame Gillian Weir Messiaen Competition (Birmingham, 2019). In November 2022, he was awarded the Silver Medal of the Worshipful Company of Musicians.

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Charles performs widely across the UK with recent recital venues including St Paul’s Cathedral, London; St John’s Smith Square, London, St John’s College, Cambridge, and a recent solo performance as part of the St Alban’s International Organ Festival. He has also performed in the USA, Canada and Germany.

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He is grateful to the American Guild of Organists, the Eastman School of Music and the Royal College of Organists for generous support towards his current studies.