1 CD recording, 7 concerts (of entirely different programmes), more piano concerti than I'd normally conduct in a season, first RNCM composer festival of the year, and that's before the teaching....
Below are some of the scores!
Rave review for Nottingham piano concerti
3 piano concerti in one evening impressed the Nottingham Evening Post critic
New Chandos disc with RNCM Wind Orchestra
Our latest recording on the Chandos label features the music of Robert Russell Bennett, known as the inventor of the "Broadway Sound" and a noted composer in his own right. Order the disc or downloads from Chandos.
Busy summer programme
It's been a hectic summer of tours and masterclasses. Manchester University Symphony Orchestra gave 3 fantastic concerts in Belgium, repertoire included Shostakovich 5th Symphony.
After that, guest conducting with the band of Chinese State TV and a great week with Hertfordshire Wind Sinfonia. Sherborne Summer School was as always an inspirational week, with Martin Ellerby the featured composer and students from UK, USA, Singapore, Australia, Switzerland, Norway, Germany, Ireland and maybe some other places I can't remember.
Finally, my first visit to teach at Dirigentuka in Stavanger - 115 conducting students in the week!
Online course with Open University
Ever wondered what a conductor actually does? Me too...
Last year I collaborated with the Open University and Future Learn in the creation of a MOOC aimed at explaining what a music score is, and how it works. This free online course aimed at music lovers who don't have much formal training is running again from 18th July.
You can view some of the videos from this course here on YouTube. Numbers 8, 9 & 10 are the most interesting!
RNCM external courses 2016/17
Applications are now open for our series of external conducting courses in 2016/17. You can apply here for masterclasses in November and February. Following it's hugely successful debut last year, we are again running our course for Music Educators - 3 short courses and an additional e-learning element from October to February.
Colin Matthews festival at RNCM
Last week we were delighted to have the eminent British composer, Colin Matthews, with us for a festival hosted by the RNCM and BBC Philharmonic. I conducted a programme with the RNCM New Ensemble which included two of Colin's virtuoso ensemble works: Contraflow & Hidden Variables
Tour with Manchester Camerata
Great fun working with Manchester Camerata on a little tour of the East Midlands. Terrific project to take classical music to places it doesn't normally reach with Orchestras Live.
Two new CDs
Two new CDs released this month: music of Adam Gorb featuring Manchester Camerata, Ensemble 10/10 and RNCM ensembles; and a recording by the virtuoso contemporary flautist Karin de Fleyt of a major new concerto by Paul Goodey.
New Music North West
"8 days, 30 events, 100 living North West composers. This is the largest, most intense focus on new music in Manchester, with over 50 new works performed at the RNCM, University of Manchester and venues across the city. The new music scene in the North West has never been as rich, as experimental, or as diverse. Sir Harrison Birtwistle is in residence for three days hearing 12 of his works performed. There’s electronics, opera, orchestras, chamber music, folk, pop – sometimes separate, sometimes combined. Come and discover this massive spectrum of original work, performed by musicians who live and breathe new music."
Delighted to have been a part of this, and in particular to have conducted "Panic" with the man himself.
