Nick Austin - Music Director
Nick
Austin is a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama,
where he studied under Carola Grindea and Harold Dexter.
Nick
has been Musical Director of Aylesbury Festival Choir since January
2017. Works performed include Mendelssohn’s Lauda Sion,
Mozart’s Sparrow Mass and Rutter’s The
Sprig of Thyme.
Nick has conducted Thames Voyces since
January 2013. Works performed include Bach’s Jesu meine
freude, Bruckner’s Mass in E minor, Durufle’s
Requiem, Handel’s Coronation Anthems, Rutter’s
Gloria and Vaughan Williams’ Mass in G minor.
Nick
was Musical Director of Stanmore Choral Society from 2006 - 2018.
Performances included Brahms' German Requiem,
Jenkins' The Armed Man,
Handel's Messiah,
Haydn's Creation,
Mozart's Requiem,
Britten's St Nicolas,
Faure's Requiem,
Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle,
and Orff’s Carmina Burana
in a joint concert with Thames Voyces. A very happy 12 years with
them has recently ended as he has taken up the baton at Amchor
(Amersham & Chesham Bois Choral Society).
An
avid show tune lover, Nick was Musical Director for the Crowthorne
Musical Players from 1988 to 2016. Recent productions included Hello,
Dolly!, Guys and Dolls, Carousel, Pirates of Penzance (Broadway
Version), Oklahoma, Singin' in the Rain and Fiddler on the
Roof. In 2015 he was Musical Director for Reading Operatic
Society in their production of The Best Little Whorehouse in
Texas. The show received 3 nominations from the National Operatic
& Dramatic Association including ‘Best Chorus’.
Nick has been rehearsal pianist and assistant conductor
for the Bracknell Choral Society since 1981. He regularly accompanies
and plays continuo in their concerts. He is also an occasional
accompanist for Walton & Weybridge Amateur Operatic Society.
In
his spare time, Nick enjoys arranging and composing, particularly for
amateur choral groups.