John Lyon
Director of Music
Originally from Golborne, near Wigan, John studied Bass Trombone with Leslie Storey and Organ with Dr Graham Cummings at the University of Huddersfield, graduating with a B Mus (hons) degree in 1993. He continued his studies, gaining his PGCE a year later. Whilst at University, John ran a successful student choir known as the St Paul’s Singers and worked as Choirmaster at St Barnabas’ Church, Crosland Moor. John moved to Lincolnshire in 1994 to take up a post as Head of Music in Spalding and continued his organ studies at that time with Colin Walsh, Organist Laureate of Lincoln Cathedral.
John has held middle and senior leadership roles in a number of schools in the county, serving most recently as Assistant Headteacher at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar, Alford and subsequently taking a position at Boston Grammar School as Director of Music and Head of Sixth Form, where he worked until 2022.
John co-founded the Heckington Singers, a 70 strong community choir in 2012. He is the Bass Trombonist and Organist for the Boston Sinfonia and also performs with the Lincolnshire Philharmonia (the Orchestra of RAF Cranwell). He is the Musical Director of the Swineshead Silver Band.
John held the position of Director of Music at St Botolph’s Church from 2001-2006 and was delighted to return as Assistant Organist in November 2015. He became Director of Music in Advent 2019 and since September 2022, his position has become full time. John’s work as Director of Music in the Parish of Boston involves choosing and preparing suitable music for our worship, rehearsing our choirs, teaching choristers and also leading our community music work with adults and in schools. John is ‘Musician in Residence’ at Skegness Grammar School, where he supports a number of students in their musicianship as well as leading the school choir. An exciting programme training new organists has begun as part of this residency, which is allowing young people to learn to play.
John served on the RSCM Lincoln area committee for a number of years, as Education and Training Officer and as Chair, working to promote church music and choral singing across Lincolnshire. In his spare time, John enjoys walking his dogs, composing and arranging music and tinkering with a range of practical projects!
to contact John, please email john.lyon@parishofboston.co.uk
Anthony Baldery
Assistant Organist
Anthony is an accomplished musician and teacher who joined the Music team here in Boston as Assistant Organist in October 2024. Originally from Southampton, Anthony studied music at the University of Huddersfield, receiving organ tuition from Keith Jarvis and composition studies with Richard Steinitz. After graduating in 1994, Anthony gained his PGCE qualification and started work as a teacher, serving as Director of Music at Marshland High School, Director of Academic Music at Ellesmere College, Shropshire and finally as Director of Music at Spalding Grammar School, where he worked for 11 years. Anthony continues his study of organ repertoire, receiving tuition from Colin Walsh, Organist Emeritus of Lincoln Cathedral. He enjoys a thriving business as a piano and vocal tutor and in addition, directs the Boston Community Choir and The Boston Choral Society, a choir whose founder was also organist here at St Botolph’s. Anthony will support the Director of Music in developing music across our whole parish.
