Bruno Needham - Conductor
Bruno has built a varied portfolio as both a Principal and Guest Conductor, working with ensembles across south-east England. In recent years, he has guest conducted the London-based Angel Orchestra, the Crowthorne Symphony Orchestra in Berkshire, and Langtree Sinfonia in Oxfordshire.
Since 2021, he has been Musical Director of the Northwood String Orchestra, a Southampton-based ensemble preparing to celebrate its centenary next year. He will also be conducting the Sarisbury Choral Society in an upcoming performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria.
Other recent highlights include assisting as chorus master for a performance of Mozart’s Requiem in London and leading an orchestral workshop on Dvořák’s Ninth Symphony. Most recently, he organised and conducted a concert of highlights from Handel’s Messiah in Southampton, featuring soloists from Trinity Laban Conservatoire.
Bruno’s work has taken him to venues across the UK and Europe, conducting evensong at Durham Cathedral and conducting orchestral performances in Barcelona, Vienna and Belgium.
He is the founder of the Durham University Classical Ensemble — a chamber orchestra now celebrating its tenth year—and previously conducted the University College Chamber Orchestra, the Chapel Choir of Grey College, and the Chapel Choir of St Chad’s College.
Beginning his conducting studies at Durham University, where he achieved the highest mark as an undergraduate conductor, Bruno went on to complete a Master’s degree in Conducting under the tutelage of the now Sydney-based orchestral conductor, Monica Buckland.
Bruno brings energy, curiosity, and care to each project, always aiming to create music that feels honest, exciting, and shared. Whether working with a full orchestra or a small ensemble, he is known for his clear direction, engaging rehearsal style, and genuine connection with musicians
“I work with phrasing, timbre and the interactions between different parts of the orchestra in an endeavour to produce performances which are genuinely special. How something is played completely transforms the experience – even pieces from the standard repertoire, which might be known intimately by much of the orchestra, can be made fresh and vital. This is what draws me towards conducting.”
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Orchestra Conducting Experience
A permanent post as conductor and Musical Director. String Orchestra based in Southampton. Conducting weekly rehearsals, performing at least two concerts each year.
Assistant Conductor, Angel Orchestra, Islington, London (January – July 2024)
Assistant Conductor for two-day Choral & Orchestral workshop on Mozart’s Requiem. Leading all choir-only rehearsals, while assisting Tutti rehearsals. Conducted Beethoven’s 6th Symphony in concert.
Conductor, Northwood String Orchestra with Trinity Laban Conservatoire (April 2024)
Organised concert of excerpts from Handel’s Messiah with soloists from the Trinity Laban Conservatoire.
Guest Conductor, Crowthorne Symphony Orchestra (December 2020 – October 2021)
Visiting conductor during the Covid period while opportunities to play were rare for local musicians. Conducted Tchaikovsky’s Polonaise from Eugene Onegin and Vivaldi’s ‘Winter’ under socially distanced conditions.
Guest Conductor, Langtree Sinfonia (February 2020 – March 2023)
Regular visiting conductor over a three-year period. Conducted Spring 2023 workshop on Dvorak’s 9th Symphony.
Conductor, Durham University Classical Ensemble (October 2018 – July 2019)
As an undergraduate in 2014, Bruno founded and managed this chamber orchestra, also playing the violin and leading tours to Belgium and Spain. In 2018, he returned to take a Masters degree, having been elected to conduct the orchestra. He conducted five orchestral concerts in the 2018-19 academic year, touring to Vienna in July 2019. He conducted in venues including Durham Cathedral, Durham Castle, Durham Town Hall and the Haus der Musik in Vienna.
Conductor, University College Chamber Orchestra, Durham (October 2016 – July 2017)
Conductor for the 2016-17 academic year.
Choral Conducting Experience
Conducted a performance of excerpts from Handel’s messiah in Southampton
Guest Conductor, Choir of St. Chad’s College, Durham University (January 2019)
Conducted the Choir of St. Chad’s College, Durham, for a recording of J.S. Bach’s cantata, ‘Christ lag in Todesbanden’, accompanied by the Durham University Classical Ensemble.
Conductor, Chapel Choir of Grey College, Durham (October 2015 – July 2017)
Regular concerts and services in both Durham Castle and Durham Cathedral. Doubled choir membership during the first year of his tenure.
Training and Courses
MA, Music Performance – Orchestral Conducting, Durham University (October 2018 – September 2019).
Under the tutelage of Monica Buckland. Final project on the historically informed performance of Schubert’s ‘Great’ Symphony in C major (No. 9)
BA (Hons), Music, Durham University (October 2014 – June 2017)
Three-year undergraduate course, covering aspects of musicology, music performance and music history. Dissertation exploring Verdi’s work as a manifestation of the Schillerian concept of ‘naivety’.
Participant, Sherborne Summer School of Music (August 2018)
Orchestral conducting course, taught by Rodolfo Saglimbeni, Toby Purser and John Longstaff. Workshops in groups, sharing podium time, focusing on conducting technique and musical interpretation.