JUSTIN BINDLEY – MUSIC DIRECTOR

Justin Bindley was born in Lancashire and studied singing with John Cameron. He made his debut as Masetto (Don Giovanni) for British Youth Opera and he subsequently sang for English National Opera, Opera North, Scottish Opera, New D’Oyly Carte Opera, Carl Rosa Opera, English Bach Festival (at the Royal Opera House), London Opera Players and many smaller companies.

His opera roles were diverse from Britten to Verdi. He appeared several times at the BBC proms, appeared on recordings and DVDs with Virgin Classics, Hyperion, TER records and Naxos. He sang abroad in several countries including Belgium, France, Holland, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

For many years he had a teaching practice in both London and Cheltenham and became more and more involved in musical direction. He was musical director for The New Savoyards and Voices2go (including productions of Dido & Aeneas, The Telephone and The Impresario.) He conducted the recording of Liz Upham’s Carmelite Mass in 2011. He has also been vocal advisor to the Cheltenham Bach Choir and Newport Cathedral.

He was asked to form the Salveo Singers for the NHS in London, which he directed from 2013 to 2014. He was Music Director of Ormond Opera 2014 to 2016, including a production of The Pirates of Penzance which he conducted.

From 2017 to 2021 he was Music Director of Kennet Opera, conducting full productions of Dido & Aeneas, The Magic Flute, Amahl and the night visitors and The Zoo, and many concerts.

Since moving to Norfolk at the end of 2021 he has been appointed Music Director for Harleston Choral Society (for whom he conducted Faure Requiem, Ronald Corp Christmas Mass and Haydn Stabat Mater ) and The Best of British and the annual Christmas Concert for the G and S Singers at the Minster, Great Yarmouth. He also conducted Bob Chilcott On Christmas Night for Bungay Voices.

In 2023 he conducted  Vivaldi Gloria ( Harleston Choral Society) and Byrd to Britten with the newly formed Voices2Go Chamber Choir and also lead several “Come and Sing” days in August 2023 . In 2024 he conducted John Rutter A Sprig of Tyme for the Carolean Chorus , Saint-Saens Requiem and Dvorak Mass in D for Harleston Choral Society and Haydn Little Organ Mass for Voices2Go Chamber Choir.

He is very pleased to have been recently appointed Music Director to  the Hethersett Singers, and conducted their first concert in May 2024. In September he conducted a performance of Byrd to Britten for Voices2Go Chamber Choir  when they performed at the St Peter Mancroft Church in Norwich. The Carolean Chorus presented An Evening at the Operetta at the Minster, Great Yarmouth in August and for Harleston Choral Society he will conduct Haydn Missa Sancti Nicolai in December 2024.  He is delighted to have been appointed Music Director for Wymondham Choral Society and  will conduct Poulenc Gloria, Ronald Corp Christmas Mass, Vivaldi Magnificat and Cecilia McDowall Christus Natus Est this December.