Role

:

Conductor Performer

Birth

:

1964 in California

Genre

:

Choral

 

David Skinner is a renowned conductor, musicologist, and academic who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born in 1967 in the United Kingdom, Skinner grew up in a family that valued music and the arts. His parents were both amateur musicians, and they encouraged him to pursue his passion for music from a young age. Skinner began his musical education at the age of seven, when he started learning the piano. He quickly showed a talent for the instrument, and by the time he was a teenager, he was performing in local concerts and competitions. However, it was not until he discovered choral music that he found his true calling. At the age of 16, Skinner joined the choir of his local church, and he was immediately struck by the beauty and power of the music. He began to study choral music in depth, and he soon became a skilled singer and conductor. He went on to study music at the University of Oxford, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1989. After completing his undergraduate studies, Skinner continued his education at the University of Cambridge, where he earned a Master of Music degree in 1993. During his time at Cambridge, he became interested in early music, and he began to specialize in the music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Skinner's career as a conductor began in earnest in the early 1990s, when he founded the vocal ensemble Alamire. The group quickly gained a reputation for its innovative and dynamic performances of early music, and it has since become one of the most respected ensembles in the world. Over the years, Skinner has conducted many of the world's leading orchestras and choirs, including the Academy of Ancient Music, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and the Tallis Scholars. He has also worked with many of the world's leading soloists, including Emma Kirkby, James Bowman, and Michael Chance. One of the highlights of Skinner's career came in 2007, when he was appointed as the Director of Music at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing the college's music program, which included a choir of 24 singers. Under his leadership, the choir became one of the most respected in the country, and it has since performed at many of the world's leading concert halls and festivals. In addition to his work as a conductor, Skinner is also a respected musicologist and academic. He has written extensively on the music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and he has published many articles and books on the subject. He is also a sought-after lecturer and teacher, and he has taught at many of the world's leading universities and conservatories. Skinner's contributions to the world of classical music have been recognized with many awards and honors. In 2014, he was awarded the prestigious OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his services to music. He has also been awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society's Conductor Award, the Gramophone Award for Early Music, and the Diapason d'Or. Despite his many achievements, Skinner remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He continues to conduct and perform regularly, and he is always looking for new ways to explore and share the beauty of early music with audiences around the world.

More....