Andrew Nethsingha announced as RCO President Elect

The Royal College of Organists (RCO) has announced Andrew Nethsingha as President Elect, to take office as President from July 2026. He will succeed current President Sarah MacDonald and serve a two-year term.

Andrew Nethsingha has been Organist and Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey since 2023. As the Abbey’s director of music and principal conductor of the Abbey Choir, he leads all musical aspects of the Abbey’s work. He directed the music at the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Before his appointment to Westminster Abbey, Andrew spent fifteen years as Director of Music at St John’s College, Cambridge. As a conductor he has worked with many leading orchestras in the UK and internationally, 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.

His performances have taken him to prestigious venues and festivals worldwide, including the BBC Proms, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Verbier Festival, Tokyo Suntory Hall, Konzerthaus Berlin and Singapore Esplanade. He has made over thirty choral recordings; these have received critical acclaim, including a BBC Music Magazine Award.

A chorister at Exeter Cathedral under his father Lucian Nethsingha, Andrew went on to study at the Royal College of Music 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.

RCO Chief Executive Sir Andrew Parmley said: “Andrew Nethsingha’s career has been one of outstanding artistry, leadership and service to the organ and choral music.

“His work at some of our nation’s most important choral foundations, his performances with leading orchestras, and his international reputation make him a fitting and inspiring choice as our next President.”

Andrew Nethsingha said: “It is a great honour to be invited to serve as President of the Royal College of Organists. The RCO’s mission to inspire, support and educate musicians of all ages and backgrounds is one I value deeply. I look forward to working with colleagues over the next few years to promote organ and choral music, and their place in our cultural and spiritual life.”