It’s encore time for a former organist of St Mary’s Parish Church, Ross-on-Wye, 20-year-old Laurence John.

Laurence, who while still at school in 2015, became probably the youngest organist in the church’s 700-year history, is to return for his second summer organ recital.

On the evening of Saturday, August 18th, he will present an exciting and varied programme of works by some of the world’s greatest composers.

The recital will be in aid of the Friends of St. Mary’s and will help finance some of the remedial work necessary to maintain the fabric of the ancient church.

It will be the second time Laurence has given a summer performance at the church. His last one attracted an audience of around 150 music lovers from all over Herefordshire and parts of Gloucestershire.

He said: "I owe a tremendous amount to the people of St. Mary’s. When I was asked to become organist at the church at the age of just 17, they gave me their wholehearted support and encouragement.

"Remarkably, that enthusiastic backing continued even when I left to become organ scholar at Hereford Cathedral in 2016. And, even now, many of them still follow my progress and greet me warmly whenever I see them."

Laurence, who is now a music student and organ scholar at Oxford University’s elite Queen’s College, still lives in Ross and attends services at St. Mary’s when he is home on vacation.

Admission to his recital, which begins at 7pm, is by ticket, available at the door, or, in advance, from Pots and Pieces, High Street, Ross. The price is £10, which includes wine.

As an organ scholar at Oxford University, Laurence plays for the Queen’s College Chapel Choir for its three services each week and recently accompanied the choir on its two-week tour of California, where he played at some of America’s finest cathedrals and churches.

He has been a rapidly rising star in the classical organ firmament since the age of 14 and is now considered to be one of the finest young organists in Britain, with a number of highly acclaimed recitals to his credit.

He is also a talented conductor, pianist and singer. He has conducted the full Hereford Cathedral Choir, accompanied Hereford Cathedral School’s Cantabile Girls’ Choir when it won the BBC TV Choir Of The Year competition and also performed with the Three Choirs Festival Chorus in the presence of Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.