The conductor Bjorn Bantock has an extensive performance schedule conducting numerous ensembles and orchestras in the United Kingdom, Europe and the rest of the world. Some of his recent engagements include the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia Choir of Cape Town, the European Bienniale in Naples, the Svanker Music Festival and the International String Orchestra Festival in Malta with concertmaster Matthias Wollong (Leader of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe). He also has conducted the Watford Philharmonic Orchestra, the Northern Sinfonia, the Hertfordshire Philharmonia, the Philharmonisches Kammerorchester Berlin, the Orchestra of the Royal Conservatoire of Music in Copenhagen and the Moscow Philharmonic. Bantock is the principal conductor for the London Chamber Strings and the Europa Ensemble. He has recently been appointed as the principal conductor for the St Albans Symphony Orchestra and will take up the position in September 2010.
Now based in London, Bantock recently returned from a tour of South America performing in Chille, Argentina and Brazil. He has worked as conductor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the London Contemporary Dance School and was recently invited to conduct and give a series of lectures for the Classical Live Exhibition at the London Olympia. He is also principal conductor for the 100 piece Film Score Spectacular Orchestra.
Bantock conducts for the ASKOV and Open Strings Festivals in Denmark, the Oxford Cello School and the Alpine Summer Course in Geneva and the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain. Bjorn is regularly invited to give master classes, most recently for Pro Corda, King’s College Wimbledon, the European String Teachers Association at the Royal College of Music, the Amersham Music Festival and Crantock Bay Summer School. He also has a cello class at Cambridge University with pupils from Trinity, St John, Caius, Kings, Pembroke, Clare, and St Catharine’s Colleges.
Winner of the 2003 Contemporary Music Prize, Bantock is actively involved in the performance of contemporary music and participated in broadcasts for BBC Radio 3, performing works by James Macmillan. Bantock has won numerous prizes, bursaries and scholarships including first prize in the Sir John Barbirolli competition and a full four year Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music International Scholarship to study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester where he was also awarded the highest performance accolade of the RNCM, a PPRNCM. Bantock studied conducting with Colin Metters, Head of Conducting at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
Awards & Prizes
Sir John Barbirolli Competition (1st prize)
RNCM Contemporary Music Performance Prize
Full International ABRSM Scholarship
Shirley Cattarall Award
Oude Meester Music Prize (finalist)
Oude Meester Chamber Music Prize (1st prize)
Hans Endler Prize
SAMRO National Bursary
Marjorie Hocken Bursary
Leonard Hall Memorial Prize
Anton Hartman Bursary
String Category Forte National Youth Music Competition (1st prize)
CAPAB Concerto Festival (1st prize)
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