Frances Novillo is a singer and leader of song in its many forms. Frances possesses a remarkable capacity to recognise and develop other peoples' unrealised vocal talents. Her infectious enthusiasm and compelling delivery instils confidence in individuals, groups and even large crowds of 'would-be' singers. For contact details, please click here.
Frances is available to plan, support and lead music and liturgy for churches, schools and religious organisations. Frances is Regional Music Advisor (London and South East) for the Royal School of Church Music.
Frances has acted as cantor, animateur and music director at Westminster Cathedral, St Paul's and Wembley Arena including the annual Mass for Migrants in association with London Citizens. She was one of the cantors at the Papal Mass in Cofton Park, Birmingham. Frances has conducted choirs in many secular venues, including the Royal Albert Hall.
Courses and Formation Frances leads workshops and courses and delivers addresses on liturgy and music including:
- Songs of Sorrow and Salvation: music for Lent, Holy Week & Easter
- Demystifying Music: learning to read written music
- One-off training events on liturgy and music in Westminster Diocese, Anglican Dioceses, URC Wessex Synod, interfaith
- Addressing an audience with Cardinal Arinze and Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor
- Guest speaker for the Catholic Independent Schools Conference, London School of Theology and Mount Street Jesuit Centre
- Speaker at international conference in Rome celebrating women in sacred music
- Delivering the CCRS Liturgy in Schools module for the Diocese of Westminster
Frances trains lay ministers including singers and musicians, teachers, readers, catechists and ministers of the Eucharist, deepening their understanding of liturgy. Frances supports the delivery of the Royal School of Music's Voice for Life and Church Music Skills training for adults, young people and children involved in Church Music
Ecumenical Frances has sung, played and conducted at large-scale international Taizé worship in London, in Bradford and at the Greenbelt festival. She has led music at the National Assembly of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. She has facilitated guided retreats at Scargill House in north Yorkshire and Iona Abbey, where she was resident musician in 2000.
Churches As Music Director in the parish of Mary Immaculate and St Gregory the Great in Barnet, Frances plays, sings and plans; recruits, teaches and trains singers and musicians; encourages the song of the clergy and congregations. Frances has a particular passion for developing participatory music in traditional liturgies and contemporary forms. She is a member of the National Network of Pastoral Musicians.
Community Frances is a registered MusicLeader and a member of the SoundSense Community Music Network. She can contribute to multi-lingual worship, spoken and sung, including French, Spanish and German. Frances can communicate with those who are deaf-blind and has led music in workshops and worship with people with learning difficulties. She has trained in music, worship and disability.
Education Frances teaches piano, guitar, recorder and singing to groups of adults and children, and individuals, and uses music to promote links between church schools and their wider parishes, including improving liturgy in schools. Frances is a qualified teacher in Adult and Community Education.
Solo song Frances' solo performances are whole-hearted and sensitive to the occasion, be it worship or entertainment. Her mezzo-soprano range blends beautifully in choirs large and small. She gives regular performances at social events in Camden and Kentish Town including folk music, songs from the shows, music hall and classical repertoire. She is a full member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians.
Recordings Frances sang on Marty Haugen's Turn My Heart, O God in Minneapolis and previously sang and played guitar on John L. Bell’s One is the Body with the Wild Goose Worship Group.
On Screen Frances appeared on BBC Songs of Praise in a weddings episode in June 2009 and has commented on the Proms for BBC Four. Frances appeared on television in the extensive coverage of the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Britain in September 2010.
In Print Frances has been published in Accord, ISM Music Journal, Liturgy Planner, ABCD Mastersinger, RSCM Church Music Quarterly, Thinking Faith, Westminster Worship, Spirit of the Season, and the Society of Saint Gregory's Music and Liturgy Magazine. Read some of Frances's published articles here.
www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/20090202_1.htm
www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/SOS/index.shtml
www.rcdow.org.uk/liturgy/default.asp?library_ref=18&content_ref=1078