Choral Conducting
For some years now I have conducted Bishop Auckland Choral Society.The Society, based in the old town of Bishop Auckland with its magnificent medieval Bishop's Palace, is almost 60 years old last year and I am its fourth conductor.
Bishop Auckland has a long and distinguished musical tradition. Edward Elgar was a friend and regular correspondent of local choral conductor Nicholas Kilburn and, with his prompting, Elgar conducted the first performance of 'The Music Makers' in the Town Hall in 1920. Today, apart from the Choral Society, the town plays host to a thriving Musical Society which organises a regular series of professional chamber music concerts and solo recitals at Bishop Auckland Methodist Church, Cockton Hill Road, Bishop Auckland.
We present about four concerts a year, ranging from major choral works such as Mozart's Requiem and John Rutter's Magnificat and Gloria, to Christmas carol concerts and a very successful Victorian evening. We also regularly commission new works from local composers.
We rehearse every Tuesday at 7pm in Shildon Methodist Church, 3 Main St, Shildon DL4 1AJ and new members are always welcome.