Jeremy was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, and his musical life began as a chorister at ChristChurch Cathedral; he was later Assistant Organist. He has held organ scholarships at Wells Cathedral and Westminster Abbey and has directed and accompanied many choral societies and choirs.
In 2011, Jeremy directed the Cathedral Choir for the National Memorial Service in Hagley Park following the February earthquakes, in the presence of HRH Prince William. He also gave a number of solo recitals throughout Europe to raise money for the cathedral’s appeal and has released three solo CDs on the ChristChurch Cathedral organ.
Jeremy graduated as a Bachelor of Music (First Class Honours) from the University of Canterbury, and while there was awarded the Lilburn Prize for composition and Madrigal Prize for Excellence in Vocal Music. Later he completed a Masters in Organ Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. In August 2013, he gave the inaugural recital at the Transitional Cathedral in Christchurch.
His organ tutors have included Daniel Moult, Thomas Trotter and David Briggs, and Jeremy gained his Fellowship in Organ Performance from Trinity College, London in 2009, and holds an Associate Diploma from the Royal College of Organists. As a recitalist/accompanist, he has performed in many major UK cathedrals, St George’s Chapel Windsor, Malvern Priory, St Matthew in the City Auckland, Dunedin Town Hall, St Andrew’s Cathedral Sydney, Notre-Dame in Paris, as part of the International Organ Summer Festival in Rome, Esplanade Singapore as part of Tapestry: a festival of sacred music, the Musikverein in Vienna, and ‘Lumiere’ in Nelson Cathedral – the first ever organ recital in New Zealand with a visual light display.
From September 2015 – March 2018 Jeremy was Head of Keyboard and Organist at Repton School.
Jeremy regularly performs with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, both as a soloist, choir accompanist, and orchestral player. He is an active composer with various pieces being published by the RSCM and Crescendo Music Publications in Melbourne, Australia; is the Director of Music at Knox Church in Christchurch, Head of Music and Principal Repetiteur for Toi Toi Opera, and rehearsal pianist for Showbiz Christchurch.
“Jeremy is simply the finest accompanist I have ever worked with.”
Lois Johnston – Classical Singer/Teacher
Jeremy Woodside 