Francis is a versatile and accomplished musician who has conducted Clacton Concert Orchestra since 2009. Francis studied music at Colchester Institute and Huddersfield University gaining valuable experience at both institutions in a wide variey of musical disciplines. He was for several years a bassoonist with Essex Youth Orchestra and it was while playing with them that his interest in conducting kindled. He now takes great pride in directing CCO where that interest has flourished. He has also performed as a soloist in John Scott Cobb’s piano concerto premiered by CCO. Recently, he and three members of the orchestra have formed a string quartet in which he plays the viola.