Choral Conductor/Clinician/Historian/Arranger/Composer

Mark Burstow is a choral conductor, teacher and musician based in Dorset.

He is Musical Director of Parnham Voices and Director of the Bournemouth Symphony Youth Chorus. He also directs Bella Voce, a chamber choir based in Poole, and teaches singing and choral music at Parkstone Grammar School.

Mark’s work centres on the practical craft of making choirs sing well. He believes in clear direction, careful preparation and an approach to rehearsal that is demanding without becoming solemn. His repertoire ranges from Renaissance polyphony and the English choral tradition to folk song, opera choruses and contemporary music.

He began conducting in Belfast while still in his early twenties. His work there included the Harlandic Male Voice Choir, Larne Choral Society and St Patrick’s Choral Society, alongside broadcasts, tours and festival appearances. He later spent twenty years as Musical Director of the Bournemouth Male Voice Choir, developing the choir’s membership, repertoire and public profile.

Alongside concerts and regular rehearsals, Mark leads workshops and study days for singers. He also produces short films which explore choral repertoire from a conductor’s point of view. His interest lies not only in what the music means, but in how a choir can bring it convincingly to life.

contact Mark by email markburstow@icloud.com