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Stephen Foulkes sang for ten years as a lay-clerk in Bristol Cathedral Choir, with whom he toured extensively throughout Europe and in the USA. He is currently bass vicar-choral with Wells Cathedral Choir. A regular soloist with choral societies around the UK, he has made many broadcasts and recordings. His extensive repertoire includes works by Bach, Dvorak, Tavener and Finzi in venues as varied as Cologne, Amsterdam, New York and Nymberg in the Czech Republic. His many recent performances in the UK have included Handel's Messiah in Edinburgh, London and Bath; Bach's St Matthew Passion in Truro Cathedral and St John Passion in Llandaff Cathedral; Cantata 140 Wachet auf! in York Minster; Verdi's Requiem in The Concert Hall, Reading; the role of Pater Ecstaticus in Mahler's monumental 8th Symphony for the Bath Festival; and Brahms' Ein Deutches Requiem in Romsey Abbey and for South Somerset Choral Society.In 2005 he was guest soloist with the Silver Ring Choir of Bath on a tour of the Far East and New Zealand. Future plans include performances of Messiah in Bristol Cathedral and Bath Abbey; Bach's Christmas Oratorio for North Devon Choral Society and in Wells Cathedral; Vaughan-Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem in Aberystwyth; the Sea Symphony for the Chiswick Choir; and performances of Durufle's and Faure's Requiems for Bath Bach Choir and Bristol Bach Choir. In addition to his concert work, Stephen has sung in opera ranging from Monteverdi to Britten, and has regularly appeared as judge and recitalist in competitions for song composers under the auspices of the English Poetry and Song Society. Outside music his interests are mainly water-based, thanks to a previous occupation as a police frogman, and sailing his Wanderer dinghy around Cornwall and the Lake District remains his favourite relaxation. The waterside pubs are also a great attraction! He also enjoys horse-riding and has had a book published on the history of the Mounted Police in Bristol to mark their recent centenary. |