Conductor – Mark Ford

Mark Ford was born in Bromley and educated at St Dunstan’s College, Catford, where he studied the organ with the international recitalist David Sanger. He continued his academic and musical studies at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he held an Organ Scholarship and read law. Whilst at Cambridge, Mark directed the Chapel Choir (whom he accompanied on tours to Bavaria and Ireland), as well as the college Choir and Orchestra, and sang in the University Chamber Choir under Timothy Brown.

He founded The Purcell Singers in 1994 and has directed them in concerts of wide-ranging music from the 15th century to the present day. With the choir he has also made more than ten CD recordings, including four classical albums, and numerous commercial recordings of music for film and television. He has conducted sessions at all the major London recording studios.

Mark has carried out extensive research into the music of the late romantic composer Georg Schumann, and has recorded all of Schumann’s choral works with The Purcell Singers. He plans to release recordings of some of his other works in the future, including the composer’s piano music and songs.

By profession, Mark is a solicitor and works at a leading international practice. He has just returned from seven months living in India, where he established a pioneering new business unit in his firm’s Delhi office. Mark is also a director and trustee of The Company, a charitable organisation based in Manchester that promotes music theatre for young people aged 14-23.