The Wellingborough Orpheus Choir Conductor

Jonathan Sheldon - Musical Director

Jonathan Sheldon studied singing and cello as a choral scholar at Corpus Christi, Cambridge (1977-1980) and continues to play cello with local orchestras and string quartets. He has taken choral and orchestral conducting courses with George Hurst, Simon Halsey, Michael Rose, and most recently with the Association of British Choral Conductors.

As a musical enthusiast, Jonathan enjoys a wide variety of musical styles, and has been involved in Come and Sings Days, Cathedral Festivals, School Music Productions; The Millenium Songs of Praise at Nene Park directing a choir of 300+ and an audience of 4000 was a memorable highlight.

Orpheus Choir programmes have been widely varied since 2002 when he was appointed as Musical Director. Highlights from our programmes have included Bach's St John Passion in the Choirs Golden Jubilee Year and Mendelssohnn's Elijah in 2005 (twinned with Niort in Wellingborough). In the past two years, Jonathan directed the Orpheus Choir at Wellingborough Castle in performances of Verdi's Requiem and a highly popular programme of Choral Classics inspired by Classic FM's Hall of Fame. His recent appointment as Musical Director to Kettering Camerata reflect the continuing energy and commitment Jonathan brings to his passion to encourage choral singing in the area.

He has also encouraged the choir to enlist orchestras and a high standard of professional soloists for our concerts. These, together with a variety of programmes – we are looking forward not only to Brahms Requiem in May, but also to 'Joseph' at Northampton Academy and a visit to Coventry Cathedral to sing Evensong during Summer 2008 - ensure that rehearsals and concerts are entertaining and rewarding to both singers and audiences alike.

New Musical Director Needed from September 2010...

We are sorry to announce that Jonathan Sheldon will be leaving us at the end of the summer term because of work commitments.

We are therefore seeking a new Musical Director from September 2010. Our singers vary widely in age and experience, but all belong to the choir because they enjoy singing. If you are interested in becoming our new conductor, and can offer us the friendliness, energy and enthusiasm we have become used to in our current Musical Director, we would like to hear from you.

Please apply by letter, giving your qualifications, relevant experience, and explaining why you are interested in the position, to the Chairman, Mrs Cath Fuller, who will also be pleased to answer any queries. If you are shortlisted, you will be asked to direct a rehearsal.

Please write to: Mrs Cath Fuller. 28 Bradshaw Way, Irchester, Wellingborough, Northants, NN29 7DP
Or email: cath.fuller@ntlworld.com
Closing date Monday 12th April 2010

Haydn's Creation - 2009

Choir Rehearsal
Rehearsal at Gt Park Street Methodist Church for Elijah, 2005.
Jonathan is pictured far right.

Our conductor...