John Bethell is a person highly placed and appreciated in The world of music. Musician, administrator, conductor and archivist, he is widely experienced in all aspects of the arts, giving constant encouragement, assistance and advice in a wide spectrum of activities and creating a unique reputation for himself. He is indefatigable in his devotion to music.

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It was in April 1957 that John Bethell joined the BBC in Manchester and in 1961, he was appointed Music Librarian, a position he held until August 1990.

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During these years with the BBC he travelled extensively throughout the world, particularly with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and was privileged to work with hundreds of distinguished artists and conductors.

 

Since 1966 he has been in great demand as a conductor and producer of opera, operetta and musicals, conducting performances all over the North of England.

 

He has been Artistic Director and Conductor of the Oldham Choral Society since 1971, relinquishing the position in 1998 when he was made Conductor Emeritus. He was Conductor and Musical Advisor of the Philharmonic Choir of Manchester, a position he held from 1988 until 1990.

 

John Bethell did not confine his energies to the North of England - since 1955 he has been very much active in music making in the Isle of Man; so much that in 1966 His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor invited him to become a member of the Isle of Man Arts Council. The following year saw the foundation of the Manx Festival Chorus and his appointment as Artistic Director and Conductor, which meant for 21 years until he took up residency on the island in 1990, he commuted once a month.

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It was in 1971 he founded the Erin Arts Centre in Port Erin and continues to be Chairman and Director of the centre and the annual Mananan International Festivals, which were founded in 1975, as well as the Lionel Tertis Viola and Barbirolli Oboe Competition Festivals which are held triennially at the centre.

 

John Bethell was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music in 1988 and in Her Majesty The Queen’s New Years Honours List in 2001 he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his ‘Services to Music’ and received his award from Her Majesty the Queen at an Investiture at Buckingham Palace. In December 2015 he was made an Hon RNCM at the Congregation of Awards presided over by the President of the College Sir Willard White.