Jack Sheen is RNCM Junior Fellow in Conducting

The RNCM is delighted to announce alumnus Jack Sheen as its new Junior Fellow in Conducting, commencing in September.

Jack was one of 12 candidates chosen to attend the live auditions in February, selected from over 130 applications worldwide. Two made it through to the final round, each conducting the RNCM Symphony Orchestra in a performance of one overture, following five rounds featuring contemporary and chamber orchestra repertoire. This year’s panel was Sir Mark Elder (Music Director of the Hallé and the RNCM’s International Chair in Conducting), Clark Rundell (Head of Conducting, RNCM) and Mark Heron (Tutor in Conducting, RNCM).

Jack studied composition at the RNCM and conducting on the Joint Course, run in conjunction between the College and University of Manchester. He currently holds an Artist Fellowship in Conducting at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Since 2014 he has conducted at international festivals and academies including the Lucerne Festival Academy, Dartington International Summer School, Cheltenham Festival, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, Royaumont, IMPULS Academy and the Ensemble Linea Academy, working alongside conductors such as Peter Eötvös, Sian Edwards, and Matthias Pintscher. Jack’s work as assistant conductor to artists such as Ilan Volkov and Richard Baker has led to engagements with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Bit20 Ensemble, Orchestre Philharmonique de Luxembourg, and, amongst others, Ensemble 10/10.

Alongside conducting, composition is central to Jack’s practice. In 2016 he was awarded a Royal Philharmonic Society Composition Prize and in 2011 won the BBC Young Composer of the Year Award. Jack has written music for orchestras and organisations such as the London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, Manchester Camerata, Aurora Orchestra, BBC Radio 3, the Aldeburgh Festival, and Opera North. 

He said: ‘It’s a real honour to have been selected for this position. Having studied at the RNCM as an undergraduate, I can’t wait to make a fresh contribution to the musical life of the College through this Fellowship. It’s a pleasure, a privilege, and the start of an exciting learning curve. I couldn’t be in a better environment at this stage in my life.’

At the age of 23, Jack is the youngest conductor to receive an RNCM Junior Fellowship. He will now receive tuition from Sir Mark Elder, Clark Rundell and visiting conductors, as well as conduct the RNCM Symphony and Chamber Orchestras and benefit from the College’s strong links with the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Manchester Camerata. The RNCM developed special partnerships with the BBC Philharmonic and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestras where Junior Fellows, as well as postgraduate conducting students, work as Assistant Conductor several times a year.

Picture caption (top): Jack Sheen profile (credit Anton Lukoszevieze)
Picture caption (below): Jack conducting at the Lucerne Festival Academy (credit Manuela Jans)

29 March 2017