 Then during the early 1970s, he was organ scholar at Christ Church, Oxford, studying under Simon Preston.After this he was appointed assistant organist at Canterbury Cathedral, where he stayed for four years before being appointed as Master of the Music for St Albans Cathedral Choir, where he was also music director of the International Organ Festival.In 1985, Darlington returned to Christ Church as organist and tutor in music, holding the post for 33 years.