Page 724 - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Coverage Book 2023-24

Remarkably, Robert overcame childhood deafness to forge a successful career in
music as a conductor, educator and entrepreneur.

Thanks to operations to widen his ear canals, by the time he was completely
discharged from hospital at the age of 15 his hearing had been fully restored.

He is the co-founder with his composer brother Jonathan of NEW Sinfonia, the
resident orchestra at the North Wales International Music Festival in St Asaph
which also has close links with Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

NEW Sinfonia also runs a community vocal ensemble NEW Voices, and an

education programme, NEW Academi.

Last year Robert received the prestigious Hilary Tann Award for his outstanding
contribution to Welsh classical music when royal composer Paul Mealor
described him as one of the UK’s “finest young conductors”.

He will be picking up the baton at the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra in
September.

The orchestra offers the opportunity to perform alongside world-class soloists
and conductors at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

Members will be playing alongside the senior Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
Orchestra at a concert in November, as well as taking part in workshops to
support their musical development.

In his early professional career Robert worked regularly with the Royal Liverpool
Philharmonic Orchestra as a viola player.

Until recently he was the Director of Ensembles at the University of Manchester
and led their highly acclaimed Conducting Programme.

Robert said: “It is a great honour to have been appointed Principal Conductor to
the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.

“I was invited to work with the orchestra earlier this year, when I prepared them
for a special reunion concert conducted by Sir Simon Rattle, and later my own
concert at the Philharmonic Hall.

“Sir Simon is a giant of classical music and one of my all-time musical heroes so
this really is my dream job.