PROFILE: Conductor Stephen Bell

Born in Bury, Lancashire, Stephen Bell studied conducting at the Royal College of Music under the renowned conductor Norman Del Mar, and a progressively challenging conducting schedule now affords Stephen the opportunity to conduct both at home and abroad, in venues such as Istanbul, Toronto, Athens and London. His diverse repertoire, versatility and aptitude for communication with audiences of all genres, has led to exciting conducting projects with an eclectic range of artists from Stephen Hough, Alexander Sitkovetsky and Xeufei Yang to Alfie Boe, Alan Opie, Natasha Marsh, G4 and Katie Melua.  Stephen’s recent discography includes critically acclaimed CDs on the ASV, Naxos and Dutton labels, including two with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and most recently, three world premiere recordings with Roger Chase and the BBC Concert Orchestra.

He also has extensive broadcasting experience, frequently conducting orchestras such as the RPO, Hallé, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and Ulster Orchestra for BBC Radio, Classic FM and BBC television.

Since 2005, Stephen has conducted the annual televised BBC Proms in the Park with the BBC Philharmonic, and the highly successful 2008 Doctor Who Prom represented his Royal Albert Hall Proms début. A busy 2010 / 2011 season includes further engagements with orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra,
Manchester Camerata, London Gala Orchestra, Hallé, Guildford Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, Southbank Sinfonia, CBSO and the ERT National Symphonic Orchestra (Athens). In 2009, he was appointed Artistic Director of the City of Oxford Orchestra.