Guest, George (9th February 1924-20th November 2002)

He was a choral conductor and organist born in Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales to a family where his father was an organist. While young he assisted his father by being his organ blower and became a chorister at Bangor Cathedral and a student of the sub-organist and later organist, Dr. Roland Middleton, at Chester Cathedral.

He became organist and choirmaster of the parish church at Connagh’s Quay in Flintshire, Wales and passed his ARCO in 1940 and FRCO in 1942. Also in 1942, when he was 18 years old, he entered the Royal Air Force to carry out his service during WWII. He served in India in 1945 and returned to civilian life in 1947.

After leaving service he went back to Chester Cathedral to take up the position of sub-organist and after receiving some encouragement from the organist he applied to St. John’s College, Cambridge for an organ scholarship.

After entering Cambridge he studied with the choirmaster and organist Robin Orr and when Orr retired in 1951 the post was offered to him. Over the next five years there had been a question of the survival or the choir as the day school had been proposed for closure. He managed to get the College to fund a Choir School after some persuasion and with support from Robin Orr.

It was from then that he built the choir up to become renowned, well-respected and popular and which sang not only in an English traditional style but also using works of French composers such as Gabriel Faure and Jean Langlais. He also took the choir on many overseas tours.

Another side to the choir he incorporated was it’s appearing on radio and television broadcasts on the BBC and from 1972 their Evensong was broadcast every Ash Wednesday and from 1981 their Advent Carol Service. From 1958 they began to make recordings and under his leadership they recorded at least 60 albums and CDs.

In 1987 he was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list and was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

He retired in 1991 after directing music for at least 40 years and tutoring many successful students that include the organists Stephen Cleobury, Sir David Lumsden, Adrian Lucas and John Scott.

He died in Cambridge in 2002 when he was 78 years old.

Choir of St. John’s College, Cambridge recordings
Away in a Manger (William J Kirkpatrick/James Ramsey Murray)
London 421 022 (CD: Christmas Weekend -16 Favourite Carols)
Conductor – George Guest
Organ – Stephen Cleobury

Born on Earth (French traditional/words – Jacqueline Froom)
London Records 421-022-2 (Christmas Weekend – 16 Favourite Carols)
Conductor – George Guest
Arranger – John Rutter
Organ – Stephen Cleobury

The First Nowell (Traditional/Anonymous)
London 421 022 (CD: Christmas Weekend -16 Favourite Carols)
Conductor – George Guest
Organ – Stephen Cleobury

I Saw Three Ships (Traditional/Anonymous)
London 421 022 (CD: Christmas Weekend -16 Favourite Carols)
Conductor – George Guest
Organ – Stephen Cleobury

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Traditional/Anonymous)
London 421 022 (CD: Christmas Weekend -16 Favourite Carols)
Conductor – George Guest
Organ – Stephen Cleobury

Good King Wenceslas (John Mason Neale)
London 421 022 (CD: Christmas Weekend -16 Favourite Carols)
Conductor – George Guest
Organ – Stephen Cleobury

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Charles Wesley/Felix Mendelssohn)
London 421 022 (CD: Christmas Weekend -16 Favourite Carols)
Conductor – George Guest
Organ – Stephen Cleobury

O Little Town of Bethlehem (Phillips Brooks/Lewis Redner)
London 421 022 (CD: Christmas Weekend -16 Favourite Carols)
Conductor – George Guest
Organ – Stephen Cleobury

Up! Good Christen Folk (Traditional Finnish/George Ratcliffe Woodward)
London 421 022 (CD: Christmas Weekend -16 Favourite Carols)
Conductor – George Guest
Organ – Stephen Cleobury

Sources:

Guest, George (9th February 1924-20th November 2002)

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