A musician who has dedicated his life to mastering the organ is set to release his second major CD aged 83.

Martin How, organ emeritus at Croydon Minster for the past decade, will release In Trouble and Joy on November 8.

Mr How was inspired to play the organ from a young age and aged 14 attended the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM), which at the time was Croydon-based, in Addington Place.

He said: "My life has always been in the field of church music. I was inspired by my father who was a clergyman."

Mr How studied music and theology at Clare College, Cambridge University, and was awarded an Organ Scholarship. 

Even though he spent two years in the army doing national service after university, he maintained a close relationship with local parishes. 

Mr How spent most of his career with the RSCM, travelling the world training organists and choirmasters. 

Mr How founded the RSCM Southern Cathedral Singers, a group which has frequently appeared on BBC Radio's Choral Evensong, and was appointed MBE for services for church music in the 1993 New Year Honours List.

Since Mr How’s retirement from the RSCM he returned to the organ as an honorary member of the music staff at Croydon Minster. 

Mr How released his first album in 1998, made with Croydon Palace Church Choir. 

He joined forces with Tom Little, assistant organist at Croydon Minster his latest work.

He said: "I believe playing the Broadwood piano is particularly enhanced by the vibrant acoustics of the Minster and the Hill organ was rescued from a church in Hampshire because it was too good to lose."

Internationally renowned award winning engineer, Simon Rhodes, of Abbey Road Studios donated his time and skill to record the album. He was assisted by Mark Rogers, a record producer and, by coincidence, a past chorister of the Minster.

To  pre-order a copy, email rachrhodes@me.com or call the minster on 020 8688 8104.