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Marcus Farnsworth: Biography
Marcus is active as a choral director throughout the UK. His fresh and vibrant approach to choral music is coupled with his own extensive experience as a singer and vocal teacher. He began his musical training as a chorister at Southwell Minster, Nottinghamshire. He continued his education at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, and then went on to read music at The University of Manchester, graduating in 2005 with first class honours and winning the Hargreaves recital prize. He is now studying on the vocal studies course at the Royal Academy of Music with Glenville Hargreaves and is the recipient of the Toba Mann award.
Marcus is the conductor of Manchester University Chorus and director of his own vocal ensemble, the Coupland Consort. He is also director of the BBC’s “Pilgrim Consort”, who were formed in 2004 for Radio 4’s pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. The group has since broadcast on Radios 3 and 4 from the Holy Island of Lindesfarne, and Montserrat Abbey. In the New Year they will be recording a series of programmes from Rome.
From 2002 to 2005 he was director of Gaudium, who were formed to perform in Cathedrals throughout the UK and abroad. During this time they visited St Paul’s Cathedral, Chester Cathedral, and Southwell Minster and were invited to choral festivals in La Laguna, Tenerife and Frankfurt, Germany. From 2003 to 2005 Marcus was musical director of Ad Solem, The University of Manchester Chamber Choir. He was Assistant Musical Director of the St George’s Singers from 2004 to 2007, and has also assisted with the Rodolfus Choir, the Hallé Youth Choir, the York Chapter House Choir, the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus and the BBC Symphony Chorus.
Marcus also pursues a career as a baritone. In addition to a busy solo schedule, he works regularly with a number of vocal groups including The King’s Consort, His Majesty’s Sagbutts and Cornetts, Ex Cathedra and Polyphony.
Photo by Joshua Ellicott