Hugh Fullarton will lead Murray Conservatorium Choir in its first concerts for 2016, presenting a program that, like its movie namesake, explains itself quite literally.

Four Weddings and a Funeral presents choral music from the royal weddings of the then Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten (1947), Charles, Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer (1981), Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson (1986) and Prince William and Catherine Middleton (2011) as well as the funeral of the Queen Mother (2002).

Among the ceremonial works will be Parry’s I was Glad, Set Me As A Seal by William Walton and Let the people praise me, composed by William Mathias. 

Organ solos “including the very famous Mendelssohn Wedding March” will also fill the two church venues hosting the concerts.

Mr Fullarton became director of the choir in February while already filling the part-time role of organist and choir master at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Wangaratta.

“I deliberately took that position in the first place to give me more time for other projects, so it was perfect really,” he said.

An organist, conductor, pianist, composer and music teacher, Mr Fullarton studied pipe organ with John O’Donnell at Melbourne University and holds an Associate Diploma in Performance from the Royal College of Music, London.

He has performed with ensembles such as King’s College Choir, Winchester Cathedral Choir, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Australian Boys Choir.

At one stage commuting from Melbourne (“I was leaving at 4.30 in the morning on Sundays”), Mr Fullarton now lives in Wangaratta.

“I just loved the region,” he said. “Loved the open spaces and the friendly people, the lifestyle.”

The choral director hopes to broaden the age range of the choir and continue to build up its sound.

“Returning a community choir to its traditional roots, which is singing really large, splashy choral works,” he said.

The choir is one of the biggest groups he has directed, which brings challenges in terms of sight lines and ensemble singing as the members learn more difficult anthems.

“It's been a steep learning curve, absolutely,” Mr Fullarton said.

“But that's all part and parcel of starting a new group.”