Renowned director leads event for choirs

Tuesday May 8th 2007

An event entitled “The Reluctant Choir Trainer” and aimed at those who find themselves running a choir 'by default,’ takes place in St Molua’s Church, Stormont on Saturday May 12.

Organised by the Royal School of Church Music in Ireland, the event will be led by David Revels, Director of Music at St George’s Parish Church, Belfast.

Topics to be explored include how to get the best from your group – whatever its size and ability – basic singing technique, tips on voice training, rehearsal techniques and effective repertoire for smaller choirs.

David's has extensive experience as a professional singer, teacher and choir trainer. He is in much demand as a soloist, conductor and vocal tutor. David has been engaged as Chorus-master by Castleward Opera for Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera following the success of his chorus in Castleward’s production of La Bohème last year. Most recently, he conducted the combined choirs of St George’s Church and St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh at the enthronement of the Most Revd Alan Harper as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland.

David is a graduate of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, and also of Christ Church, Oxford where he read Music and was awarded a choral scholarship; he is also a former Lay Clerk of the Cathedral Choir there.

During his years at Christ Church David toured the Lebanon, France, Germany, America and New Zealand. He has featured in many BBC and Channel 4 broadcasts; recordings with the choir include works by Sheppard, Palestrina, Purcell, Esteves, Janacek, Walton and – perhaps more universally known – the theme tunes for The Vicar of Dibley and Mr Bean. David made his cinematic debut as a ‘cherubic singer’ in Sir Richard Eyre’s period epic Stage Beauty, featuring Clare Danes.

David has extensive experience on the oratorio platform with works ranging from Messiah and the Passions of Bach to music by Janacek, Bernstein and Britten working with many distinguished conductors including Stephen Darlington, Andrew Parrott, Harry Christophers and Kurt Mazur. Last year he sang the role of the Evangelist in Bach’s St Johannes Passion at the Edinburgh Festival and Trinity College, Dublin and was the tenor soloist in Mozart’s Requiem at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast.