Conductor

The Endcliffe Orchestra is conducted by Martin Lightowler. Martin has always been an active musician – singing, playing piano, oboe and composing.  From the age of 13 he attended the Northern School of Music and played as principal oboe in the Manchester Youth Orchestra.

At the age of 18 Martin studied at Dartington College of Arts and started teaching three years later, in Sheffield, where he has since lived and worked.

Singing is another of Martin’s loves, having performed with many choirs including The Sheffield Chorale, The William Byrd singers, Schola Gregoriana and Renaissance Voices.  In addition he was the conductor of Stannington Choral Society for some time and has occasionally deputised for the conductors of various Sheffield Orchestras.

Martin’s love of many different kinds of music extends from the earliest of music to avant-garde styles and music from all over the world.

He says this about conducting the Endcliffe Orchestra: “It is a truly great privilege, a wonderful challenge and terrific fun to conduct such a great bunch of musicians – even if I have forgotten what its like to have nothing to do and all day to do it in!”