Michael Seal

Michael Seal (born 3 May 1970)[1] is a British orchestral conductor and classical violinist. Since 2011 he has served as the Associate Conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO), having served previously as the orchestra's Assistant Conductor. He is only the second conductor to be given the title of Associate Conductor at the CBSO. The first was Harold Gray who served in that capacity for several decades until his retirement in 1972.[2][3] In addition to his conducting, Seal played in the violin section of the CBSO from 1992 to 2014.

Michael Seal
Born (1970-05-03) 3 May 1970
London, UK
EducationRoyal Birmingham Conservatoire
Occupation
  • conductor
  • violinist
OrganizationCity of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Websitemichaelseal.com

Life and career

Seal was born in London and raised in Rochester, Kent where he began his violin studies at the age of nine. He attended Chatham Grammar School for Boys and played in the Kent County Youth Orchestra, first as a violist and later as the orchestra's first violin and concertmaster. He continued his musical studies at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, where he won the Birmingham Philharmonic Concerto Prize. He joined the CBSO as a violinist in 1992.[4][5][6][2]

He began conducting with the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra in 1996 and later conducted the CBSO as well as playing in its first violin section. Several times he stepped in to conduct the CBSO on very short notice. In 2004 he substituted Sakari Oramo to conduct the world premiere of Richard Causton's Between Two Waves of the Sea. In 2011 he substituted Ilan Volkov in a concert of Scandinavian music. Seal was appointed Assistant Conductor of the CBSO in 2005 and Associate Conductor in 2011. He relinquished his post in the CBSO's violin section in 2014 to devote himself full-time to conducting.[2][5][7]

Seal is also known for his work with youth orchestras. He has served a Principal Conductor of the Birmingham Schools Orchestra and frequently conducts the CBSO Youth Orchestra.[6][8] As a guest conductor he has conducted several UK and international orchestras, including the BBC Symphony Orchestra,[9] Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra,[10] Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra,[11] Norwegian Radio Orchestra,[12] and the Brussels Philharmonic.[13]

Seal is also a keen cricketer. A fine pace bowler, Seal took five wickets in a match during the 2018 season.[14]

References
  1. Seal, Michael. "Thanks computer - what a lovely way to start my day!". Twitter. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  2. Morley, Christopher (25 March 2011). "Michael Seal's stand-in ovation". Birmingham Post. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  3. Morley, Christopher (5 December 2003). "An eye on the future; Harold Gray Centenary Tribute CBSO Centre, Berkley Street.". Birmingham Post. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  4. Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (15 Aori 2016). "Conservatoire music competition goes full circle as former winner conducts this year’s final".
  5. Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra (2006). Season 06–07, p. 2. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  6. Kent Messenger (15 January 2016). "Conductor Comes Home". Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  7. Stinchcombe, Norman (4 July 2014). "Review: Duke Bluebeard's Castle, CBSO at Symphony Hall". Birmingham Post. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  8. Morley, Christopher (2 November 2015). "Review: CBSO Youth Orchestra at Birmingham Symphony Hall", Birmingham Post. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  9. BBC. Performances of Michael Seal with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  10. Classic FM (2017). "Classic FM's 25th Birthday Concert: in pictures". Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  11. Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (9 June 2017). Press release: "Glorious Elgar with the BSO and award-winning cellist Guy Johnston at the Festival of Chichester". Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  12. NRK (2011). "Desi Nation Furuset". Retrieved 17 July 2018 (in Norwegian).
  13. Maerevoet, Ellen (1 December 2017). "Dirigent Michael Seal: 'Zeer succesvolle eerste repetitie met Thomas Vanderveken'". VRT. Retrieved 17 July 2018 (in Dutch).
  14. "Woodbourne CC". woodbourne.play-cricket.com. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
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