At the age of eight he became a chorister at Liverpool Parish Church which started his interest in the pipe organ.
In six years time later pursued organ studies under Harold Dawber at the Royal Manchester College of Music, after receiving a coveted exhibition.
In 1958, he received an education grant to study in Italy with Fernando Germani and later in Paris with Marcel Dupré.
[3] While there, he composed many original choral works, such as the Festive Eucharist (1978) which is still sung regularly by churches across the Anglican Diocese of Liverpool.
He mentored Ian Tracey (later a professor), who succeeded his position of Organist of Liverpool Cathedral in 1980.