Simon Halsey appointed to new role at University of Birmingham

Simon Halsey, Director of the CBSO Chorus, will take up a new role at the University of Birmingham as Professor and Director of Choral Activities.

Based in Birmingham, Simon Halsey will continue in his long-standing role as Director of the CBSO Chorus, working closely with Andris Nelsons and CBSO on performances of some of the masterpieces of the choral repertoire as well as opera in concert. In addition to this role Halsey will begin a collaboration with the University of Birmingham, taking the position of Professor and Director of Choral Activities. This forms part of an ambitious development plan for the University’s choral activities, and will also encompass close collaboration between the University and the CBSO.

Of the appointment, Halsey commented: ‘As I enter my thirty first year as Chorus Director of the CBSO, I am very excited that the University of Birmingham will to go into partnership with the CBSO & its wonderful choruses to establish a MA in Choral Conducting, specialising in directing symphonic repertoire. This course will be unique, offering our students an extraordinarily close involvement in the day to day life of the CBSO whilst giving ample opportunities to benefit from the rich and varied musical life offered by the University.’

Professor Michael Whitby, Head of the University of Birmingham’s College of Arts and Law said: ’We are delighted to welcome Simon Halsey to the position of Professor and Director of Choral Activities. This new appointment will not only strengthen the University’s links with musical groups in the City, but will enrich the choral opportunities for staff, students and the community.’

Halsey also takes up positions as Choral Director of the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, and Artistic Director of the Berlin Philharmonic Youth Choral Programme.

Simon Halsey is Chief Conductor of the Berlin Radio Choir, working closely with such conductors as Sir Simon Rattle, Claudio Abbado and Marek Janowski. He was also recently announced as Director of the BBC Proms Youth Choir, a collaboration which starts with a performance of Tippett’s A Child of Our Time with David Robertson and the BBC Symphony Orchestra on 1 August 2012.