John Nicholls

John Nicholls was an English musician associated with Durham Cathedral in the second half of the seventeenth century. He was probably born around 1627 and was buried in Durham on 6 June 1681.

He served as a lay clerk of the cathedral until his death. In 1665, together with John Foster, he took part in tuning the organ of the bishop's private chapel at Bishop Auckland. In 1677 he was appointed master of the "petty" school at Palace Green and master of the choristers, although not organist.

Few of his sacred works survive: a full anthem, a verse anthem and a Short Service, included in the service book of June 1680. The dating of the first is reportedly doubtful.