Royal Conservatoire of Scotland appoints Leverhulme Conducting Fellow

Florence Lockheart
Wednesday, May 3, 2023

In his new role Riley Court-Wood will work closely with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra as well as with RCS visiting professor of conducting and ENO music director Martyn Brabbins

'The experience of assisting some of the finest orchestras and ensembles in the country will lead to the next two years being a period of huge personal and professional growth for me.’ Riley Court-Wood will take up his new role in September
'The experience of assisting some of the finest orchestras and ensembles in the country will lead to the next two years being a period of huge personal and professional growth for me.’ Riley Court-Wood will take up his new role in September

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) has announced the appointment of British-Canadian conductor Riley Court-Wood to the role of Leverhulme Conducting Fellow. Selected from a total of 150 candidates, Court-Wood will take up his role in September, succeeding Emilie Godden.

The Fellowship, which is offered by the conservatoire in partnership with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (BBC SSO), aims to support emerging talent by ‘offering a sought-after step in the journey between study and the professional podium.’ Court-Wood will work with Conservatoire staff, ensembles and partners throughout his two-year tenure as well as with conductors including Martyn Brabbins, RCS’s visiting professor of conducting and the music director of English National Opera (ENO).

Brabbins said: ‘Following an intense and rewarding two-day audition process, involving ten highly talented young conductors, Riley Court-Wood emerged as the next Leverhulme RCS Conducting Fellow. His gracious music-making, warm personality and adaptability set him apart from the other candidates. We look forward to welcoming Riley into life at RCS and the BBC SSO, and I am excited to work with Riley as his conducting journey moves forward.’

Court-Wood was one of ten candidates brought to Glasgow from Finland, Austria, Italy, Poland, Holland, Greece, the USA and across the UK. Working with Martyn Brabbins the conductors took part in a selection process which included directing singers from the RCS Alexander Gibson Opera School as well as a small ensemble of professional musicians from Scotland’s orchestras. Five finalists were then selected for a final round conducting the BBC SSO.

BBC SSO director Dominic Parker said: ‘This ongoing partnership between the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, under the guidance of Martyn Brabbins, is developing fantastic conducting talent. Riley Court-Wood shows extraordinary promise, and we look forward to welcoming him to Glasgow when he takes up the Leverhulme Fellowship.’

Having completed undergraduate studies in violin at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2018, Court-Wood spent a year in London as a freelance musician. He then studied a Masters in Conducting the Royal Northern College of Music, before joining the Muscat Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Opera Chorus in Oman in 2021.

Court-Wood said: ‘Joining the rich musical and cultural life of Glasgow will be a wonderful experience, and I can't wait to work with the talented students of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Martyn Brabbins and other visiting artists. Outside of the conservatoire, I know the experience of assisting some of the finest orchestras and ensembles in the country will lead to the next two years being a period of huge personal and professional growth for me.’