Price Band: E

Birmingham Cathedral Choir:
Marcus Huxley	- Director of music

Birmingham Cathedral Choir sings at 4 or 5 services each week as well as special services from time to time such as the annual Judges' Service or the Ordination of Priests. The Choir broadcasts regularly on BBC Radio 3 (next broadcast at the time of writing November 2001) and they periodically tour abroad especially in Europe (e g Leipzig Feb 2002). The Choir regularly receives invitations to perform with other top-rank choirs, such as St Paul's Cathedral Choir and the Choir of King's College Cambridge, while the Choristers have collaborated on several occasions with the highly-acclaimed City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. The Choir has given first performances of works by John Joubert, Alan Ridout, Andrew Downes and Andrew Carter and in 2000 commissioned an anthem for the Millennium from John Sanders with funds from Coutts Bank. The 20 Choristers attend 12 different schools and come together to rehearse after school on 3 days a week, while the men have a wide variety of occupations. The Choir has made a number of recordings on the Alpha and Regent labels and in recent months have appeared with singers ranging from Emma Kirkby to Sir Cliff Richard. In December 2001 they appear in Symphony Hall Birmingham with Thomas Trotter to celebrate the installation of the new organ.

Marcus Huxley Was born in Chelmsford. He read Modern Languages at Oxford University, which enabled him to spend a year in Paris as part of his studies, at the same time having organ lessons with Marie-Claire Alain.

He was the youngest finalist in the 1971 St Albans International Organ competition. On his return to Oxford he was elected Organ Scholar of Worcester College, where he directed the Chapel Choir and obtained a degree in Music. In 1974 he went directly from Oxford to be Assistant Organist of Ripon Cathedral, where he also taught in the Choir School and lectured at the University College of Ripon and York St John. While in Yorkshire he also founded the York Early Music Choir and was Conductor of both the Ilkley and Otley Choral Societies.

In 1977 he returned to St Albans winning the top 2 prizes and in 1986 he was appointed to his present position as Director of Music at Birmingham Cathedral.

He has made numerous broadcasts, recordings and television appearances with the Cathedral Choir as well as leading tours to France, Germany and the Netherlands. He is about to make his first solo organ C D with Regent Records and is increasingly in demand as a composer. He has appeared as Guest Conductor with Kidderminster Choral Society and as organist with the CBSO. He is married with two children, lectures at Birmingham Conservatoire and is an Examiner for the Associated Board.