Role

:

Conductor  

Birth

:

1951 in Birmingham, England

Genre

:

Choral

 

Jeffrey Skidmore is a renowned conductor and founder of the Ex Cathedra choir and baroque orchestra. Born in Birmingham, England in 1951, Skidmore showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. He later learned to play the trumpet and joined the school band, where he discovered his passion for choral music. Skidmore went on to study music at the University of Birmingham, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1972. He then pursued postgraduate studies in choral conducting at the Royal College of Music in London, where he studied under the tutelage of Sir David Willcocks and Sir Charles Groves. After completing his studies, Skidmore worked as a freelance conductor and choral director, leading various choirs and orchestras throughout the UK. In 1978, he founded the Ex Cathedra choir and baroque orchestra, which quickly gained a reputation for excellence in early music performance. Under Skidmore's leadership, Ex Cathedra has become one of the UK's leading choral ensembles, known for its innovative programming and high-quality performances. The choir has performed at major venues and festivals throughout the UK and Europe, including the BBC Proms, the Edinburgh International Festival, and the Salzburg Festival. Skidmore has also been recognized for his contributions to the world of classical music. In 2002, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to music, and in 2012, he received the Royal Philharmonic Society's Conductor Award. Throughout his career, Skidmore has been committed to promoting the works of lesser-known composers and bringing neglected music to the forefront. He has recorded numerous albums with Ex Cathedra, including works by Handel, Bach, and Purcell, as well as lesser-known composers such as Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina and Francisco Guerrero. Skidmore's dedication to early music has also led him to collaborate with other leading musicians and ensembles in the field. He has worked with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, the Academy of Ancient Music, and the English Concert, among others. In addition to his work with Ex Cathedra, Skidmore has also served as a guest conductor for various orchestras and choirs throughout the UK and Europe. He has conducted the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, among others. Skidmore's commitment to music education has also been a major part of his career. He has served as a professor of choral conducting at the University of Birmingham and has led numerous workshops and masterclasses for aspiring conductors and choral singers. In recent years, Skidmore has continued to push the boundaries of early music performance, exploring new ways to bring the music of the past to modern audiences. He has collaborated with contemporary composers and artists, including the composer Tarik O'Regan and the visual artist Alexander Polzin, to create innovative multimedia performances that blend music, art, and technology. Despite his many accomplishments, Skidmore remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He continues to lead Ex Cathedra with passion and enthusiasm, and his commitment to early music has inspired countless musicians and audiences around the world.

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