Martin Setchell composer

Martin Setchell is an international concert organist who believes in promoting entertaining music to a wide audience. From China to Canada, Scotland to Australia, England to Singapore, and New Zealand to Germany, he has delighted audiences the world over with his spirited playing, lively personality, and entertaining repertoire.

Born in Blackpool, Lancashire, Martin holds Honours degrees in both French and Music from the University of Exeter and was awarded both the Limpus and Shinn prizes when he received his Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists in London. Subsequently he undertook advanced studies in Classical organ technique with Pierre Cochereau (then titular organist of Notre Dame in Paris), Marie-Claire Alain, Piet Kee, and Peter Hurford.

He emigrated to New Zealand in 1974 on his appointment to the University of Canterbury School of Music where he taught for 40 years and became Associate Professor of Music. In 2014 he resigned his University position in order to devote himself full time to his work as a professional freelance musician, performing, writing, speaking, editing and teaching. Since 1997, when he was appointed curator of the Rieger pipe organ in the Christchurch Town Hall, he has devoted himself to promoting the organ as a concert instrument internationally.