The Department of Music is delighted to share news of three student success stories, adding to the illustrious list of graduates from the distinguished Choral Conducting programme at the University.

Following the completion of their MA Music in Choral Conducting, students Mariana Rosas, Sarah Charista, and Philip Townley have gained important positions in the UK and UAE from September 2019. Mariana has been appointed to the Young Conductor Mentor Scheme with Crouch End Festival Chorus under David Temple, whilst also taking up the position of Choral Director at the City of London School for Girls. Sarah Charista, meanwhile, accepts the prestigious position of Sir Alexander Gibson Conducting Fellow of the RSNO Chorus in Glasgow, working with Gregory Batsleer on a number of diverse projects across Scotland. 

Further afield, Philip Townley takes up the position of Head of Singing at The British School Al Khubairat in the United Arab Emirates, leading the singing programme in the renowned education institution.

Mariana Rosas

Mariana Rosa

There is also more success as recent Birmingham graduate, Olivia Tait, has gained a place on the prestigious MMus in Choral Conducting course at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Olivia joins an extensive list of choral singers and conductors who have graduated from Birmingham in recent years.

Sarah Charista

Sarah Charista

Choirs and choral training is an integral part of University Music in Birmingham, and offer unrivalled opportunities for young singers and conductors at any university in the UK. For more information, or if you would like to find out more about choirs at University of Birmingham, please contact Gavin Allsop (g.m.allsop@bham.ac.uk).