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 teaches singing and music aural at Parkstone Grammar School and directs Bella Voce, the school chamber choir.

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 overbearing. 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 teens. His work there included the Harlandic Male Voice Choir, St. Agnes Choral Society, 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 is written, but in how a choir can bring it convincingly to life.

To contact Mark please call/WhatsApp 07826 444571 or email markburstow@icloud.com