Belfast Philharmonic Choir announces the resignation of   Christopher Bell as Chorus Master after seven seasons.  The Belfast Philharmonic Choir began rehearsals this month for its 2010-11season, which will be their final season with Christopher Bell as Chorus Master.  Christopher Bell started working with the choir in a temporary capacity in January 2004, officially accepting the post of Chorus Master in September of that year. Over seven seasons he has transformed the group into a very successful symphony chorus through a programme of auditions, recruitment, voice training and coaching. He has also established a Children’s Choir (Phil Kids) and the Philharmonic Youth Choir, which together currently have over 300 members. Members of the Ulster Orchestra (with whom the choir regularly perform), audiences and critics alike have responded generously with praise for the choir and the work that Christopher Bell has done.   

Chairman of the Philharmonic Society, Ethel Ruddock said: Christopher inherited a group that really needed his experienced leadership to lift performing standards and give us a sense of direction and focus. It has been an enormously positive period in the life of the Philharmonic Choir – the effects of Christopher’s tenure will resonate in Northern Ireland singing for years to come. We feel very privileged to have retained the services of such a talented musician for so many years.