John Lawrence Kelsall was a British composer, conductor and lecturer.
Studies
Kelsall was born in East Retford and studied composition, piano and organ at Aberdeen University, gaining an MA, with composition a major part of his final submission. His PhD was completed at Glasgow University in 1975. He completed a Cert. Ed in 1975 and was awarded the FLCM in Composition in 1979. He wrote a considerable amount of sacred and secular repertoire for choir and organ, and numerous chamber works.
Academic work
Kelsall was a lecturer at Kingston Polytechnic, now Kingston University, from 1977 until his untimely death in 1986. He founded the Polytechnic's Chamber Choir, becoming its first director, composing for the group and establishing a demanding calendar of concerts and cathedral residencies. The Chamber Choir under Kelsall became one of the Polytechnic's premier ensembles, performing at major venues up and down the UK, as well as giving a Purcell Room performance. He died in Kingston-upon-Thames on 4 November 1986, aged 39. Much of Kelsall's output has remained unjustly neglected since his death. Kelsall's music is currently published by Benjamin Costello and Re-edimensions. On Monday 28 July 2008 the John Kelsall Memorial Recital took place at St Michael's, Cornhill, London, given by the resident organist and Director of Music Jonathan Rennert.
Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s the Music Centre at Kingston Polytechnic was offering a BA Hons Mus Ed degree, designed to develop the wider range of skills required in music education, with an emphasis on combining academic and practical aspects of music-making. Other courses were offered including a one-year post-graduate/post-diploma course, a BEd Hons course, a BEd in-service course for teachers already in the profession, and supervision of approved research for MPhil and PhD. A wide variety of ensembles were available for the students to partake in, and the Music Centre was situated in an elegant Regency mansion set in extensive grounds adjacent to Richmond Park. The professional ensembles based at the Music Centre included the Medici Quartet and the London Sinfonietta, and the International Society for the Study of Tension in Performance was also established at the Music Centre. After Kelsall's death in 1986, the Chamber Choir was directed by Peter Johnson until his move to Birmingham Conservatoire in 1990.
John Kelsall Retrospective
This event celebrating the life and work of John Kelsall and directed by Benjamin Costello, took place at St. Andrew's Church, Surbiton, Surrey, England, on Saturday, 4 November 2006. It marked the exact twenty-year anniversary of Kelsall's death, which occurred on 4 November 1986. Choral Evensong led by the Reverend Val Cory was followed by a reception and a brief panel discussion regarding Kelsall's life and work. The evening concluded with a short chamber concert featuring a selection of Kelsall's secular works.
Choral evensong
Introit: Kelsall – Eternal God, we look to thee ; Preces and Responses: Kelsall ; Canticles: Kelsall – Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis ; Psalm 22: Chants by S. S. Wesley, B. Costello and J. Kelsall; Anthem: Kelsall – I call with my whole heart ; Organ Voluntary: Kelsall – Rhapsody No. 3 The choirs of St Andrew and St Mark, Surbiton, and guests, members of the Clerkes of Old Sarum, members of Kingston Chamber Singers. Organist – Simon Harvey. Choirmaster – Benjamin Costello
Panel discussion
Speakers: Peter Johnson, John Bate, Benjamin Costello
Chamber concert
Yes, Sonata for Bassoon and Piano, Three Miniatures, Prelude and Fugue Performers: Heather Keens, Victoria Medcalf, Ingrid Pearson, Neil Strachan, Julia Crowell, Mary Parker, Roger Beeson, Benjamin Costello
