Charles Francis is a British-born organist who is earning increasing recognition as a young performer. Recently Charles moved to the USA to begin studies in the studio of Professor Nathan Laube at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. 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.

 

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 recognizing his outstanding achievements as an undergraduate student.

 

Charles has performed widely across the UK with recent recital venues including Westminster Abbey, both St Paul’s Cathedral and St John’s Smith Square in London, St John’s College, Cambridge, and a recent solo performance as part of the St Alban’s International Organ Festival.

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He is grateful to the Eastman School of Music and the Eric Thompson Charitable Trust for generous support towards his current studies.