Director of Music - Matthew Foster 

Matthew at the console of the newly refurbished organ in St Thomas' church







Matthew graduated in 2023 with a BA in music from the University of Oxford. He was organ scholar at Lincoln College where he trained, conducted, and accompanied the choir in services, concerts, and recordings.
Matthew began his musical career in 2008 as a chorister at Chelmsford Cathedral. In 2016, he was offered an organ scholarship at St Mary’s Church, Maldon. Upon this appointment, he began studying the organ under the tutelage of Laurence Lyndon-Jones, Assistant Director of Music at Chelmsford Cathedral, whilst continuing to study the piano with Tim Carey. During his time at St Mary’s, Matthew played for a variety of services and concerts in Chelmsford, Newcastle, Peterborough, Carlisle and Coventry Cathedrals, and abroad in Bavaria and Ghent. After completing his A-levels, he took up the position of Organ Scholar at St Edmundsbury Cathedral, and taught A-level music at King Edward VI School. After his first school term, Matthew became Acting Assistant Organist at the cathedral. During the pandemic, Matthew helped provide a wealth of free online theory tuition, educational resources, singing and piano lessons, virtual rehearsals, performances, concerts, and services, to ensure people still had access to music, education, and worship.
During his time at Lincoln College, Matthew undertook many recitals, tours, concerts, and recordings, both as a soloist and as a director. In his second year, Matthew directed the choir of Lincoln College for their CD “Tresors du Paradis”, a record of monumental choral works for organ and choir, including Durufle’s Requiem, Catagnet’s Messe Salve Regina, and a new commission by Jonathan Dove. This CD went on to gain favourable reviews, including a 4-star rating from the prestigious BBC Music Magazine.
Matthew is in demand as a director, performer, and musical consultant within Oxfordshire. Matthew already holds posts as the musical director of the Wychwood Chorale, and choir master at Wolfson College, Oxford. He is also an accomplished saxophonist and enjoys other hobbies such as parkour, backpacking, driving his car, fixing said car when it inevitably breaks, and is also on the Oxford University ice hockey team. Matthew is continuing his studies in Oxford whilst he joins us as Organist and Director of Music.
Matthew says: "I am thrilled to have been chosen to join St Thomas’ in a new chapter of their musical life, post covid. I am excited to help build up the music programme, engage in outreach, and encourage a new generation of singers and organists. I am looking forward to making the most of the wonderful new organ build and to make music in the wonderful space that is St Thomas’ church. I have been made to feel so at home already and I look forward to becoming part of the church community in Goring.”