BJORN BANTOCK - Principal Conductor

Bjorn Bantock has an extensive performance schedule conducting numerous ensembles and orchestras internationally. He has performed in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, China, South Africa, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Russia, Malta, Ireland and the UK. 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, the International String Orchestra Festival in Malta and the Open Strings Festival in Denmark.

Bjorn is also the principal conductor of the St Albans Symphony Orchestra and the London Medical Orchestra.

He is also principal conductor for the London Chamber Strings with David Juritz as leader, the Europa Ensemble and the Film Score Spectacular Orchestra. 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.

Bjorn studied conducting with Colin Metters, Head of Conducting at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He has won numerous prizes, bursaries and scholarships including first prize in the Sir John Barbirolli competition, RNCM Contemporary Music Performance Prize
 and a Full International ABRSM Scholarship.

Bjorn regularly conducts the Hertfordshire Philharmonia and worked as conductor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the London Contemporary Dance School and the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain.

Bjorn has recently accepted the role of musical executive for the Sir Granville Bantock Society and has recorded and produced CD’s for the Kingsway and EM Record labels.

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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