Stephen Bell
Stephen’s early musical training was as a chorister and subsequently tenor in St Anne's Cathedral Choir, Belfast. Stephen studied music at Southampton University and subsequently Conducting at The University of Surrey. He conducted both University Symphony Orchestras and Wind Bands and was the first student conductor to hold the Symphony Orchestra post for three years. Stephen's tenure as the musical director for the Southampton University Light Operatic Society has begun a lifelong passion for shows. Stephen has directed numerous performances of Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas and has enjoyed success with many societies in Milton Keynes - most notably directing “The Merry Widow” in 2001 the sell-out “Guys and Dolls” with Company MK in 2002. Stephen was the musical director for the Wolverton Gilbert and Sullivan Society for 4 years.
Stephen has also directed many choirs and was asked to direct the Northampton Chamber Choir in 2001, culminating in a performance of Mozart Requiem in St Giles Church with the Guildhall Orchestra which Stephen also formed and directed in 1997. Notable successes with the Guildhall Orchestra were the performances of Walton’s Viola Concerto with Martin Outram, Dvorak's ‘Cello concerto with Michal Kaznowski and performances of the Brahms Symphonies. Stephen also directed the Guildhall Orchestra for a performance of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No 3 with the internationally recognised pianist Nicholas Austin with whom Stephen has collaborated on many occasions.
Stephen has enjoyed both playing with the Northampton Concert Band as a bassoonist and more recently as a conductor. In 1992 Stephen collaborated with the Pianist, Nicholas Austin to rehearse and perform Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” and Bernstein’s Overture “Candide” with the band at the Cripps Hall, Northampton School for Boys.
Stephen now lives in Wellingborough and works for Daimler Chrysler, Milton Keynes.
