Alpesh Chauhan is CBSO’s Assistant Conductor

Alpesh Chauhan has taken the role of Assistant Conductor with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO).

The 24-year-old recently graduated from the RNCM with an MMus in Solo Performance (Conducting) after joining the College as an undergraduate cellist in 2008. In December last year he was appointed the CBSO’s inaugural Conducting Fellow, a role designed to enable aspiring young conductors to bridge the gap between full-time study and the classical music profession while offering unprecedented access to some of the best conductors, artists and musicians in the world. During this time, he accompanied the CBSO on two tours, took rehearsals with the Orchestra and its Youth Orchestra, and gained conducting experience with the Netherlands Symphony Orchestra and Manchester Camerata.

In his new position, Alpesh will attend CBSO rehearsals, working alongside distinguished conductors, including Music Director Andris Nelsons, and continue to rehearse with the Youth Orchestra prior to conducting a concert in his own right, the Summer Showcase, in June 2015.

Speaking of the appointment, Alpesh said: ‘This means a huge deal to me. I have had a great year as Conducting Fellow and learned so much; I am sure that will continue in this ‘graduated’ role.

‘Members of the Orchestra have been extremely supportive – offering advice whenever they can. It has also been a fantastic opportunity to learn from Andris Nelsons – his mentoring in this role is a real highlight of the past year. I am very much looking forward to working with and learning more from the Orchestra, visiting conductors and Andris in his last season with the CBSO. The Assistant Conductor role will stand me in good stead – I feel – for carving out my own future.’

CBSO Chief Executive Stephen Maddock added: ‘The CBSO is committed to finding and nurturing new talent. Alpesh Chauhan joins the CBSO’s roster of distinguished conductors, including Music Director Andris Nelsons, Principal Guest Conductor Edward Gardner, Associate Conductor Michael Seal and Chorus Director Simon Halsey.’

15 October 2014