dan watson

 
 

Dan is a freelance UK based conductor, developing his professional career through a varied portfolio of engagements encompassing orchestral and chamber work, opera and musical theatre. He completed a Masters in orchestral conducting at Birmingham Conservatoire.


Dan currently holds principal conductorships with Stratford-Upon-Avon Symphony Orchestra, Djanogly Community Orchestra, The People’s Orchestra, Blackwood Clarinet Choir, Thumb contemporary music ensemble, and has recently been appointed conductor of the Leicestershire Schools Symphony Orchestra. He is regularly invited to work with other ensembles, and also teaches conducting to music educators and young musicians.


In 2016 Dan was featured in the BBC series ‘All Together Now: The Great Orchestra Challenge’, as principal conductor of The People's Orchestra. The program, designed to inspire and promote amateur music making, reflects many of Dan's continued aims as a conductor, to bring together professionals and community musicians alike, culminating in high standard performances and rewarding life experiences.


Dan has a particular interest in contemporary music. He is Conductor and Artistic Director of Thumb contemporary music ensemble with whom he won a Musicians Benevolent Fund Emerging Excellence Award, and has directed numerous performances resulting in over 50 premieres of new works by established and emerging composers.


Additionally, Dan plays saxophone and regularly tours with the two-tone era tribute act, Skabucks.

 

biography

Awards/masterclasses/courses

August 2014: DARTINGTON INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL

Advanced Conducting course with Siân Edwards. Full bursary awarded


July 2013: LONDON SINFONIETTA ACADEMY
Masterclasses with George Benjamin on his Three Inventions for Chamber Orchestra and Steve Potter, Play


April 2013: VASSILY SINAISKY MASTERCLASS

Wagner, Siegfried Idyll
Birmingham Conservatoire


July '12 – March '13: MBF EMERGING EXCELLENCE AWARD as Artistic Director and conductor of THUMB contemporary music ensemble


June 2012: Michael Beech Conducting Prize, at Birmingham Conservatoire

orchestras, Ensembles and organisations

ACE Dance and Music
Asklepios Orchestra

BBC
Bedworth Symphony Orchestra
Birmingham Conservatoire Ensembles

  1. -Symphony Orchestra

  2. -Repertoire Orchestra

  3. -Composers Ensemble

  4. -Thallein Ensemble

  5. -Wind Orchestra

  6. -Learning and Participation Ensemble (LEAP)

Birmingham Contemporary Music Group

Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra

Birmingham Repertory Theatre

Birmingham Schools Symphony Orchestra

Blackwell Concert Band

Blackwood Clarinet Choir

Bournville Clarinet Choir

Bridgnorth Sinfonia
Central England Concert Band

Cheltenham Symphony Orchestra

Dartington Festival Orchestra

Djanogly Community Orchestra

Elemental Opera

Eroica Camerata

Leicestershire Schools Orchestras

  1. -Symphony Orchestra

  2. -Wind Orchestra

  3. -Training Orchestra

Linden Park Symphony Orchestra

London Sinfonietta
Motionhouse
National Saxophone Choir

Nova Orchestra Classica

Orchestre Philharmonia Mundi de Montréal
Royal Forest of Dean Symphony Orchestra

Salford Arts Theatre

Solihull Symphony Orchestra

Stan’s Cafe

Stratford-Upon-Avon Symphony Orchestra

Tamworth Ladies Choir

Tamworth Male Voice Choir

Tamworth Voices

The Orchestra of Moving Pictures
The People's Orchestra
Thumb Contemporary Music Ensemble

Town Hall Gospel Choir

Toy Sound Circus

Wyre Forest Symphony Orchestra