Artistic Directors and Professional Conductors
University Music is artistically led by a team of internationally renowned musicians and performers, enhanced by visiting musicians from across the UK to work with our students.
Director of Choral Activities
Professor Simon Halsey
Simon Halsey is a conductor and educator in choral music. He is the trusted advisor on choral singing to the world’s greatest conductors, orchestras and choruses, and also an inspirational teacher and ambassador for choral singing to amateurs of every age, ability and background. Making singing a central part of the world-class institutions with which he is associated, he has been instrumental in changing the level of symphonic singing across Europe.
Director of Early Music
Professor Andrew Kirkman
Andrew Kirkman sits on the University Music committee as a senior academic in the Department of Music. He is Director of the Collective for Early Music Performance and Research, conducts the Baroque and Classical orchestra, and leads on the development of ensembles including Viol Consort, Continuo Club, the Cornet and Sackbut ensemble, and Renaissance Voices.
Director of Orchestral Studies
Daniele Rosina
Daniele Rosina is a conductor and educator and leads on the development of student orchestral conductors at the University. He conducts the Philharmonic Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, and orchestral repertoire class, as well supporting the Chamber Music Network. He is director of the University's contemporary music group, New Music Ensemble, and enjoys working with composers and performing new commissions.
Director of Jazz Studies
Jonathan Silk
Jonathan is a Scottish drummer, composer and band leader now living and working in Birmingham and the surrounding area. He leads the University’s jazz activities and teaches on the Music degree programme. He performs regularly across the UK with his own projects with recent performances at many of the top festivals including, Cheltenham, Glasgow, and London Jazz Festivals.
Professional Conductors and Ensemble Directors
Birmingham University Singers
Bob Chilcott
Composer, conductor, and singer, Bob Chilcott is Principal Conductor of Birmingham University Singers. Bob has enjoyed a lifelong association with choral music, first as a chorister and choral scholar in the choir of King’s College, Cambridge, and for 12 years as a member of the King’s Singers. He became a full-time composer in 1997, and his music has been widely recorded by leading British choirs and groups including King’s College, Cambridge, Wells Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, The King’s Singers, The Sixteen, Tenebrae, The BBC Singers, The Bach Choir, Commotio, and Ora. He is published exclusively by Oxford University Press.
Brass Band Director
Stephen Kane
Stephen Kane is the director of the University Brass Band. Former Principal Baritone with Cory Band, Stephen brings a wealth of performing experience to the role and shares his passion from brass bands with the 50-plus members of the University band.
Liturgical Choir Director
Dr Paul Rodmell
Paul Rodmell is an academic in the Department of Music and director of the University of Birmingham Liturgical Choir. The choir performs at cathedrals and churches across the UK, ensuring that our singers experience singing in services and develop the skills needed to become a lay-clark.
Symphonic Brass Director
Stephen Roberts
Composer, conductor, and horn player, Stephen Roberts is director of the University’s ten-piece brass ensemble, Symphonic Brass. This group enjoys premiering many of Stephen own compositions and arrangements and perform at events including the University Degree Congregations.
University Upper Voices
Mariana Rosas
Mariana Rosas is an Argentinian conductor based in the UK. She is the Conductor of University Upper Voices and holds the position of Chorus Director at the London Symphony Chorus, working on a diverse range of projects with the world’s leading orchestras and conductors. She works regularly with National Youth Choir, London Youth Choirs, Birmingham Opera Company, Glyndebourne, and the Royal Opera House in London. In recent years she has collaborated with Rundfunkchor Berlin, BBC Symphony Chorus, CBSO Chorus, and London Voices.
South Asian Ensemble Director
Sarvar Sabri
Sarvar Sabri is an internationally renowned table player and composer, whose versatility and passion for the rich diversity of the world’s musical traditional has lead to a career that includes constant experimentation, collaboration. Sarvar welcomes those who play traditional South Asian instruments alongside those who are interested in exploring South Asian music on their western instruments.
Folk Band Director
Paloma Trigas
Leading folk violinist and founding member of the Urban Folk Quartet, Paloma Trigas, is director of the University Folk Band. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role, and encourages members to explore the music that matter to them, as well as write their own material.
University Chorus Director
Julian Wilkins
Julian Wilkins is a conductor, organist and pianist, working throughout the UK and overseas with musical organisations including the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, BBC Proms Youth Choir, and the national youth choirs of Great Britain, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. As a respected choral consultant he teaches at the University of Birmingham and for the Association of British Choral Directors.