Our Musical Director

The Society appointed Martin Schellenberg as Conductor and Musical Director in September 2006.

Biography

Martin Schellenberg was born in England and educated in Birmingham. After graduating he continued his organ studies in Paris and then held appointments at Bristol Cathedral, Christchurch Priory and Oxford University. He has studied conducting with Harold Gray, Louis Fremaux , George Hurst and Bryden Thomson.

Whilst in Bristol, Martin was Assistant Conductor and Accompanist of Bristol and Bath Choral Societies and the Cathedral Special Choir. During his time in Dorset he was musical director of the Rilstone Singers (an all-female group) and formed the Christchurch Chamber Consort (a group of semi-professional musicians performing music from the Renaissance to the present day, who performed regularly with with top orchestra and organists).

Martin has conducted concerts and given recitals to critical acclaim at notable cathedrals, churches and concert halls throughout Europe and the USA. His recordings, radio and television appearances as conductor and organist have received many favourable reviews and he has appeared on BBC Television and Radio, Classic FM and numerous local radio and television stations. As a conductor, Martin is well-known for his wide ranging versatility, has directed many leading choirs and orchestras and is recognised as a highly creative choral and orchestral conductor.

Martin enjoyed a busy freelance career until in 2002 when he became Director of Music at Abberley Hall, a prestigious independent school in Worcestershire with a vibrant music department. Martin continues to conduct and give organ concerts as and when his school timetable allows and is delighted to have been appointed Conductor and Music Director of the Shrewsbury Choral Society.

Our Accompanist

Tim Mills was appointed accompanist to Shrewsbury Choral Society in 2007.

Biography

Tim Mills received his early organ tuition from William Smallman at St. Chad’s, Shrewsbury before commencing study at the University of Wales, Bangor. Following graduation in 2003 he was appointed Organ Scholar at St. Asaph Cathedral and then Acting Assistant Organist in January 2004. Alongside his work at the Cathedral he was a tutor for Gwasanaeth Ysgloion William Mathias, the music service set up in the composers name supplying the counties of Gwynedd, Anglesey and Denbighshire with peripatetic music teachers.

In 2005 he was invited to become Assistant Master of the Music at Shrewsbury Abbey and became Master of the Music in April 2007. At the Abbey he runs the music, directing and rehearsing the choir and running the Wednesday at One lunchtime recital series which runs from May until October.

From 2001-2005 he was an accompanist for the School of Music at the University of Wales, Bangor. He was also accompanist to the University Chamber Choir. With the choir he has performed many high profile concerts, including a rare performance of the almost unknown Requiem by the French composer Alfred Desenclos (a work very similar and equally as complex as the Duruflé setting), singing with Dame Kiri te Kanawa (for which Tim was her rehearsal accompanist for the items with the choir) and two important recordings for BBC Radio focusing on music for Saint Cecilia and Saint Stephen.

Together with his work at the Abbey, Tim teaches his own private practice of pupils. He is Education and Training Officer for the RSCM in Lichfield and was the organist for the RSCMCymru recording of Director General John Harper’s setting of the new order for Holy Communion, Cymun y Cymry. He is active as an accompanist and recitalist, having performed all over the country. He is also co-musical director of ‘Quindici’, a chamber choir who specialise in British choral music. They sing services at cathedrals and give concerts all over the country. When he has the time, Tim (along with three university friends) is the pianist in a Jazz Quartet with the peculiar name ‘Janet and the Cats’!