ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Francis Faux
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.
An avid composer and arranger, Francis has recently finished two commissions for Lucis, a new song for Voices for Life which was recorded at Real World Studios, as well as 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.
ACCOMPANIST
Will Ashworth
Will has been playing the piano since the age of four and has been performing with various ensembles since the age of twelve, starting with Shaftesbury based Swing Bin and the Liners big band.
He attended Bath Spa University to study music, and graduated in 2008, later returning there to take up an Associate Lecturer role and serve as the accompanist to the University Choir, Ladies Choir and other student ensembles.
Will also works with Voices For Life, a charity that promotes wellbeing through music for primary school children. He has worked on three of their productions of Stardust, a specially commissioned work for children’s choir and small ensemble, as well as helping with the newly-formed Voices For Life children’s choir.
As part of a varied portfolio of music-related work, Will regularly accompanies the Bath Cantata Group, is the Director of Music at St. John the Baptist Church with St. Catherine, Batheaston, has worked as a musical typesetter for Michael Nyman and also sings tenor with Noctis Chamber Choir.
PATRON
Will Todd
English composer Will Todd is well known for his beautiful and exciting music. His work encompasses choral works large and small, opera, musical theatre and orchestral pieces, as well as jazz compositions and chamber works. His anthem, The Call of Wisdom, was performed at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations with a TV audience of 45 million people. His breakthrough work, Mass in Blue (originally titled Jazz Mass), has been performed hundreds of times all over the world. His arrangement of Amazing Grace was performed at President Obama's Inauguration Day prayer service in 2013 and as part of the BBC's Nelson Mandela Thanksgiving Service.
