Parnham Voices
Come and Sing:
Choral Sound and Majesty
Date: 3 October
Loders Village Hall, West Dorset
DT6 3SA
Overview
A one-day "Come and Sing" workshop exploring unaccompanied multi-part choral music from Gibbons to Rutter. Led by Mark Burstow, the day focuses on eight-part writing, blend, tuning, balance, colour and large-scale musical shaping.
Repertoire highlights:
Gibbons — "O Clap Your Hands"
Mendelssohn — "Above All Praise and Majesty"
Harris — "Faire is the Heaven"
Stanford — Latin "Magnificat"
Holst — Latin "Nunc Dimittis"
Rutter — "Choral Fanfare"
About the Musical Director
Mark Burstow is a choral conductor, choir trainer and workshop leader with more than 35 years’ experience working with singers of all ages and abilities. Born and raised in Belfast, he began conducting at nineteen, later serving as a Lay Clerk and Boys’ Vocal Coach at Belfast Cathedral before founding the Tavener Consort and directing choirs and choral societies across Northern Ireland. He is currently Musical Director of the Bournemouth Symphony Youth Chorus, directs Bella Voce Chamber Choir and is a Visiting Music Teacher at Parkstone Grammar School.
Since February 2026 Mark has directed Parnham Voices, a chamber choir based in Beaminster dedicated to unaccompanied choral music spanning six centuries. Known for an energetic, singer-centred rehearsal style and clear musicianship, he specialises in repertoire from the Renaissance to contemporary music, with a focus on tuning, blend, vocal colour and expressive interpretation.
Who should attend
Choral singers who enjoy unaccompanied repertoire and the thrill of creating a rich, spacious choral sound.
Reasonable sight-reading skills recommended.
Practical details
Date: 3 October
Venue: Loders Village Hall, West Dorset DT6 3SA
Time: 9:45am registration; 10:15am–4:30pm workshop
Fee: £25
Booking: By email please to mandy@alfx.com with your name, address, phone number and voice part. If you have any questions, please email or phone 07857 414618.
Payment: Online payment (preferred) to Parnham Voices HSBC business account 40-10-34 10001279
