Robin Wallington appointed Mills Williams Junior Fellow in Conducting

We’re delighted to announce that Robin Wallington has been selected as the RNCM’s new Mills Williams Junior Fellow in Conducting, commencing in September.

Twelve candidates out of 118 applications worldwide were shortlisted to undertake an audition, most of which took place at the RNCM in early July, with a couple completing a bespoke online audition due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.

Three made it through to the final round, conducting the RNCM Chamber Orchestra in Beethoven’s 7th Symphony. This year’s panel was Mark Heron (Head of Conducting, RNCM), Clark Rundell (Professor of Conducting, RNCM) and Simon Webb (Director, BBC Philharmonic).

Born in Manchester, Robin is no stranger to the College, having studied at Junior RNCM before completing undergraduate and postgraduate programmes with Mark Heron.

A conductor, composer and arranger, he’s worked with orchestras including the London Symphony, BBC Philharmonic and Manchester Camerata, and has assisted Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Mark Elder, Vasily Petrenko, Vassily Sinaisky, John Storgårds, Dalia Stasevska and Ben Gernon.

He said: ’I’m thrilled to be taking the next step on my professional journey here at the RNCM; the opportunities they help to conjure for young conductors are unparalleled, with a real drive for quality, imagination and professionalism in all areas. It’s a wonderful family to be a part of.’

Robin will now receive mentoring from Sir Mark Elder, Mark Heron, Clark Rundell and many visiting conductors. He’ll conduct the RNCM’s orchestras, ensembles and opera productions, and benefit from the College’s strong links with the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Northern Ballet, and Manchester Camerata. The RNCM has developed special partnerships with the BBC Philharmonic and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestras where Junior Fellows, as well as postgraduate conducting students, work as Assistant Conductors several times a year.

The RNCM would like to thank the Mills Williams Foundation for supporting this position.

15 July 2021