Announcing appointment of new Musical Director

We’re very pleased to announce that Cole Bendall will become Musical Director of Southampton Philharmonic Choir from September 2026. His appointment marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the choir as we continue our long tradition of large-scale choral music-making in Southampton and across the region.

Founded in 1860, the choir has a distinguished history of performing major choral–orchestral repertoire, giving first performances in Southampton, and commissioning new music. We’re looking forward to building on that tradition together in the seasons ahead.

Cole brings wide-ranging experience as a conductor of choral and orchestral repertoire, having worked with ensembles including the Academy of Ancient Music and the London Mozart Players, as well as leading choirs such as the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and Rundfunkchor Berlin. Alongside his conducting work, he is also an active educator working regularly with young singers and musicians across the UK.

Speaking about his appointment, Cole said:

“I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Southampton Philharmonic Choir and to be part of the next chapter in the choir’s history. There is a real sense of ambition and potential within the organisation, and I’m excited to begin working with the singers and team to build something bold, ambitious and of the highest musical standard together.”

Looking ahead to our first season together

Cole’s first season with the choir will include concerts in O2 Guildhall Southampton, Romsey Abbey, and — we hope — a return to Winchester Cathedral.

Plans include Handel’s Coronation Anthems alongside Alec Roth’s A Time to Dance, a French programme featuring music by Fauré, Lili Boulanger and Poulenc’s Gloria, and a summer concert in Romsey Abbey celebrating English cathedral classics by composers including Parry, Howells, Judith Weir, Roxanna Panufnik, Stanford and Tavener.

A particularly important part of the choir’s work is our long-standing partnership with Southampton University Philharmonic Choir, whose singers have rehearsed and performed alongside SPC for the past 60 years. We’re delighted that this collaboration will continue as we begin working with Cole next season.

His appointment comes as the choir looks ahead to future collaborations, new repertoire projects, and our 170th anniversary in 2030. We look forward to sharing more details of the 2026–27 season very soon.