Stuart Dunlop
Stuart Dunlop is currently Director of Music at the University of East Anglia and Consultant with City Music Services.A busy freelance conducting career involving work with Hanover Band, Ulster Orchestra, Milton Keynes City Orchestra, Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic and choirs including City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Aspen Symphony Orchestra and Contemporary Ensemble, Watford Philharmonic and Milton Keynes Chorale has run alongside a dedication to student music making as Assistant Director at Warwick University and Director of Music at Reading.
He began musical life as a bassoonist. After graduating from York University he divided his time between modern and period instruments, playing with Hanover Band, London Classical Players and Alan Hacker's multi-purpose ensemble The Music Party. He was lucky enough to do a lot of chamber music during this time - a formative influence.
As a contrast to late eighteenth century period instrument playing he founded a contemporary music group, the Parke Ensemble, which he conducted in music by Judith Weir, John Woolrich, Harrison Birtwistle and many others, broadcasting on BBC Radio 3.
He devoted himself to conducting by taking the Royal Academy of Music's postgraduate course, studying with Colin Metters and Sir Colin Davis before becoming a Conducting Fellow at Aspen Music School in Colorado under Lawrence Foster, Murry Sidlin and Robert Spano.
