Mark Stanley

Tenor

Mark was born in 1966 and he lives and works in South Oxfordshire. Early years as a chorister led to a passion for the Church and its music and an introduction to the organ. He is now a committed church musician playing both organ and piano and has held the post of Director of music and Organist at the parish church of St. Peter Didcot since 1995.

Mark studied the Tenor voice with the distinguished soprano and teacher April Cantelo.

Being at home with Opera, Lied, Oratorio and particularly English song he has extensive experience as a soloist and can be found frequently on the concert platform throughout the UK.

He has a passion for the Second English Renaissance School and he has sung much of the choral repertoire as a Tenor soloist and also Opera roles in concert performances, which include: The Messiah, Creation, Samson, Judas Maccabaeus, Elijah, Le Roi David and The Magic Flute. Also, Beethoven’s 9th, Britten’s Saint Nicholas, and the Hymn to St. Cecilia. Mark has sung Bach’s major works and cantatas and also works of Haydn, Schubert & Monteverdi.

Committed to new and modern music he has performed works by Berg, Taverner, Part and taken part in first performances of works by David Mitcham, Hugh Collins-Rice and Steven Russell

Engagements have included:

“The five Mystical songs” by R.V Williams, “Requiem” Durufle and “Messiah” Part 1 for the Coventry Philharmonic Society in Coventry Cathedral and “Hodie” R.V Williams for the Knutsford singers. The Creation and the Nelson Mass by Haydn & Inno Dello Natzione by Verdi and Puccini’s “Messe di Gloria” with the Oxford Symphony Orchestra.

He recently performed the title role in “Samson” by Handel and was Tenor soloist in the first performance outside of the original recording of “Eternal Light” by Howard Goodall with the Coventry Philharmonic Society and the Ancient and Amicable Society of Musicians.

Mark was also the Tenor soloist for a recording of “The Crucifixion” By John Stainer, with The Coventry Philharmonic Society. (classical recording company CRC 1504-2)

Mark leads a busy life as a singing teacher, specializing in vocal health, technique and performance, working with pupils ranging from complete beginners through to accomplished singers working in the profession. He also works as a freelance organist and choral conductor.

Forthcoming engagements include the Brahms “Requiem” and “The Five Mystical Songs” by Ralph Vaughan Williams in St. Mary’s Warwick with The Coventry Philharmonic society.

Follow the link below to see pictures and feedback for the above concert

http://www.covphilchoir.org.uk/news/features.html