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The biography
of Bjorn Bantock
Artistic Leaders

Bjorn Bantock


Principal Conductor

Profile for Bjorn Bantock

Principal conductor of the Irish Memory Orchestra since its founding in 2012, Bjorn Bantock has an extensive performance schedule conducting numerous ensembles and orchestras internationally. He has performed in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, China, South Africa, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Russia, Malta, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom. Bjorn is also principal conductor of the Huntingdonshire Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir. He has been a guest conductor for the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia Choir of Cape Town, the European Bienniale in Naples and the Svanker Music Festival. Bjorn was also principal conductor for the  St Albans Symphony Orchestra, the London Medical Orchestra, the Europa Ensemble and the Film Score Spectacular Orchestra and the International String Orchestra Festival in Malta.

Bjorn is passionate about teaching and his main role is Head of Strings at Bedford School, north of London. He runs the Conducting Course for the National Schools Symphony Orchestra course in Malvern College and the Conducting Course for the Open Strings Festival in Denmark.  He also founded and is principal conductor for the London Chamber Strings which showcases London’s finest string professionals. Hand-picked specifically for their musical integrity and stunning virtuosity the London Chamber Strings are led by David Juritz.

Bjorn regularly conducts the Hertfordshire Philharmonia and worked as conductor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the London Contemporary Dance School and the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain.

Bjorn has been broadcast live on the SABC, BBC and S4C and has recorded and produced CD’s for the Kingsway Record label.

Bjorn studied conducting with Colin Metters, Head of Conducting at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He has won numerous prizes, bursaries and scholarships including first prize in the Sir John Barbirolli competition, RNCM Contemporary Music Performance Prize
 and a Full International ABRSM Scholarship.

Awards & Prizes

Sir John Barbirolli Competition (1st prize)
RNCM Contemporary Music Performance Prize
Full International ABRSM Scholarship
Shirley Cattarall Award
Oude Meester Music Prize (finalist)
Oude Meester Chamber Music Prize (1st prize)
Hans Endler Prize
SAMRO National Bursary
Marjorie Hocken Bursary
Leonard Hall Memorial Prize
Anton Hartman Bursary
String Category Forte National Youth Music Competition (1st prize)
CAPAB Concerto Festival (1st prize)

Profile for Bjorn Bantock