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John Rutter is an English composer, conductor, editor, arranger, and record producer, renowned worldwide for his accessible and profoundly moving choral compositions, particularly Christmas carols, anthems, and larger-scale works. Educated at Highgate School and Clare College, Cambridge, Rutter served as Director of Music at Clare College before dedicating himself full-time to composition. He founded the professional chamber choir The Cambridge Singers and the recording label Collegium Records. His prolific output includes popular carols like 'Shepherd's Pipe Carol' and 'Star Carol', the 'Gloria', the 'Requiem', and the 'Magnificat'. He has received numerous awards, including a CBE, and his music is performed globally.

• While immensely popular, some critics within the classical music establishment have occasionally dismissed his work as overly sentimental or accessible, though this has done little to diminish his widespread appeal and performance frequency.
• He co-founded Collegium Records specifically to record his own compositions and other choral works with The Cambridge Singers, demonstrating significant entrepreneurial initiative.
• His 'Requiem' (1985) and settings of the 'Magnificat' (1990) are among his most frequently performed larger sacred works outside the Christmas season.
• Rutter composed the anthem 'This is the day' for the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011, highlighting his status as a national musical figure.
• He has been actively involved in charitable work, notably conducting performances where proceeds benefit organizations like Cancer Research UK.