Music festival founder Marcus Farnsworth named new conductor of Southwell Choral Society

A new conductor has been announced for a choral society, ahead of its current conductor's final concert.

Southwell Music Festival founder and artistic director Marcus Farnsworth will take over as conductor of the Southwell Choral Society from January 1, 2023.

He was a chorister in the town and attended the Minster School before studying at Chetham’s School of Music and Manchester University.

On returning to live in Southwell he is thrilled to be taking up the baton with the choral society.

Ahead of Marucus' take-over, the society has a December concert with conductor Nick Thorpe, and accompanist, Brian Robins.

Festivo will be held on December 3 in the Minster, featuring Derby brass band Derwent Brass alongside the society in a celebration concert.

It will include the Hallelujah Chorus, Finlandia, Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas Carols and the powerful finale of Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony.

The concert will also be a special occasion for Nick, who has been the conductor of Southwell Choral Society for the past 26 years.

His involvement with choral music began as a chorister in Southwell Minster, continuing as Lay Clerk before leaving school.

On returning to Southwell as a Lay Clerk he became director of the Newstead Abbey Singers and of Southwell Choral Society in January 1997.

Nick has successfully raised the competence of the singers to a level whereby major choral works from either the classic or modern repertoire can be tackled and confidently presented alongside professional soloists, groups and orchestras.

The choir’s assistant conductor and accompanist, Brian Robins will also be retiring at the end of this year.

In recognition of their service, the choral society has awarded both Nick and Brian honorary life membership.