Fri 26 Oct 2007

Christopher Bell has been announced as the new Chorus Master of the Edinburgh Festival Chorus.

Belfast born, Edinburgh based Christopher Bell is currently Chorus Director of the Grant Park Chorus, Chicago, USA, Chorus Master of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Junior Chorus and of the Belfast Philharmonic Choir, and Artistic Director of Children's Classic Concerts. He was largely responsible for the formation of the National Youth Choir of Scotland in 1996 and has been its Artistic Director since then.

Christopher said: “I am thrilled to be working with this exceptional chorus, in my home town, and attached to the greatest festival in the world. I have attended many of the Chorus’ concerts over the years and it will be wonderful to be involved directly.”

Founded in 1965 for a performance of Mahler’s Symphony No 8, the Edinburgh Festival Chorus has formed a key element of the Edinburgh International Festival ever since, and been conducted by such luminaries as Sir Simon Rattle, Herbert von Karajan, Leonard Bernstein, Claudio Abbado, Mariss Jansons and André Previn. Its members are drawn from the Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen areas.

Outgoing Chorus Master David Jones has been in the role since 1995 and is standing down due to increased freelance conducting commitments. He is conductor-in-residence at the Welsh College of Music and Drama and has worked recently with Paris Opera and English National Opera. He is about to work with the Berlin Radio Orchestra and Chorus, and the Netherlands Radio Orchestra and Chorus, amongst others.

He said: “It has been a fantastic experience working with the Edinburgh Festival Chorus. I wish Christopher the very best in the post.”

Edinburgh International Festival Director Jonathan Mills said: “The chorus is being passed from one exceptional chorus master to another. I look forward to the fruits of Christopher’s involvement with considerable excitement, and bid a warm farewell to David, with thanks for his hard work and best wishes for his future career.”

For further information contact George Anderson at the Edinburgh International Festival press office on 0131 473 2020.