Marcus Huxley

Organ Tutor      

MA (Oxon)
FRCO
ARCM
HonFBC

email Marcus Huxley
Tel: c/o 0121 331 5901

www.birminghamcathedral.com

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Marcus Huxley read Modern Languages at Oxford University and studied the organ in Paris with Marie-Claire Alain. On his return to Oxford he was elected Organ Scholar of Worcester College, where he directed the Chapel Choir and read for a degree in Music. He went directly from Oxford to be Assistant Organist of Ripon Cathedral, where he also lectured at the University College of Ripon and York St John. While in Yorkshire he founded the York Early Music Choir and was Conductor of both the Ilkley and Otley Choral Societies.

In 1986 he was appointed to his present position as Director of Music at Birmingham Cathedral. Under his direction the Cathedral Choir has given first performances of works by John Joubert, Alan Ridout, Andrew Downes, Andrew Carter and John Sanders, most of which were specially commissioned. He also oversaw, in 1992, the setting up of the Cathedral Girls’ Choir, one of the first in the country. Over the last few years the Cathedral Choir has collaborated with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Emma Kirkby, the Choir of King’s College Cambridge, St Paul’s Cathedral Choir, the Richard Hickox Singers, the San Francisco Boys’ Chorus and many other distinguished musicians.

Marcus has appeared as Guest Conductor with Kidderminster Choral Society and as organist with the CBSO, Ex Cathedra, the Tallis Scholars, the Dresden Kreuzchor and the Swingle Singers. He is also an Examiner for the Associated Board.

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Awards & Prizes

• St Albans International Organ Competition 1977: joint 2nd prize in Interpretation & Audience Prize

Recent Recordings & Broadcasts

• 2002: The English Cathedral Series Vol 2: Organ Music from Birmingham Cathedral (Regent Records)
• 2004: My Dancing Day: Anthems & Carols with the Choir of Birmingham Cathedral (Director Marcus Huxley) (Regent Records)
• Broadcasts: Choral Evensong (live on BBC Radio 3): Jan 2006, March 2004; Oct 2002; Nov 2001
• Broadcasts: Christmas Carols (BBC Radio WM): Dec 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
• Broadcast: Morning Service for Pentecost (live on BBC Radio 4): May 2004
• Broadcast: Frost on Sunday (BBC Television) March 2003

Performances

• Regular organ recitals in Thomas Trotter’s 'Birmingham Town Hall' series including March 2003 at Symphony Hall
• Regular concerts and recitals with Birmingham Cathedral Choir in UK and abroad
• Recitals in many other cathedrals and concert halls in UK and abroad

Commissions

• Mass of St Henry & St Philip for the Centenary of the Diocese of Birmingham 2005
• Evensong (Common Worship) for the Parish of St James Shirley 2002

Publications

• Of A Rose (Banks Music Publications)
• Article in Cathedral Music 2006/1
• Regular reviews for Organists' Review and Mastersinger

Recent Masterclasses Given

• Bach’s Leipzig Chorale Preludes