FRANCIS FAUX
Artistic Director
Francis started his musical career when, at the age of seven, he was awarded a scholarship to Westminster Cathedral Choir School. Coached by James O'Donnell, he sang on multiple Gramophone award-winning albums as a chorister, toured extensively to Europe and was interviewed on Radio 4's Midweek Choice.
At Eton College, he learned to conduct under the guidance of Ralph Allwood, recorded with the King's Consort and was selected as one of two soloists to perform for a televised concert of Yehudi Menuhin's 80th birthday celebration at the Royal Albert Hall.
A passionate educator, he held the post of associate lecturer and artistic director of the principal chorus and chamber choir at Bath Spa University for nearly ten years, during which time he inspired a whole generation of young singers and musicians, many of whom continue to sing under his baton.
His two choirs, Lucis and Noctis, have quickly established a reputation for choral excellence, both here in the UK and internationally. Highlights include a concert of music by Grammy award-winning composer, Christopher Tin, at the Cadogan Hall with Angel City Chorale and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, a DCINY massed-choirs performance of Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man at Carnegie Hall and a WW1 centenary concert accompanied by the Southern Sinfonia with guest speaker, Terry Waite.
During the COVID-19 outbreak, Francis hosted a series of interviews with many of the world’s prominent choral composers and singers, including Eric Whitacre, Will Todd, Bob Chilcott, Ēriks Ešenvalds and Dame Emma Kirkby.
An avid composer and arranger, he is currently working on two commissions for Lucis, including a video game soundtrack for an upcoming retro mobile game. He is also an experienced piano teacher and repetiteur and is a member of the examiner panel for ABRSM.
WILL ASHWORTH
Accompanist
Will has been playing the piano since the age of four and has been accompanying various ensembles since he was twelve, starting with Swing Bin and the Liners big band. Developing an interest in classical music later on, Will honed his skills with the aid of tutor Maxwell Steer, and was accepted to study music at Bath Spa University in 2005.
Graduating with a 2:1 in 2008, Will has since made a living teaching piano and accompanying choirs. Starting with Grenville Jones' Good Afternoon Choir, Will started working closely with local conductor Francis Faux. Starting in 2014, he returned to Bath Spa University as an associate lecturer and now accompanies three ensembles, including the principal choir, the all-new student-led Bath Spa Ladies Choir and The Octet.
He occasionally performs as a session musician, which has seen him take part in a acclaimed production of West Side Story at the Minack Theatre, and has a long-running history with multi-award winning group Exit Stage Left. He has been a typesetter for Michael Nyman (until Sibelius 6 put him out of a job!) and sings tenor with Noctis Chamber Choir. Will is also the director of music at St. John the Baptist Church with St Catherine, Batheaston, where he plays the organ and leads the church choir.