Spencer Down
BMus (Hons)
Spencer's fresh and inspirational approach has placed him in growing demand as a conductor.
He is Associate Conductor of the Junior Guildhall Symphony Orchestra, has taught conducting at the Royal Academy of Music summer school and adjudicated the London College of Music's Wind and Brass Competitions.
Currently working at the Junior Guildhall, he is brass co-ordinator, professor of euphonium and conductor. He has recently designed the Trinity Guildhall euphonium diploma syllabus.
Spencer has conducted members of both the London Symphony Orchestra and Scottish Chamber Orchestra in educational projects.
He appeared on Channel 5's 'Milkshake' in 2008, coaching presenter Naomi Wilkinson to conduct. He was also involved in the filming of BBC2's Classical Star music competition. He was a first round judge on the programme, which was screened in 2007.
Under his leadership, he has established the Kew Wind Orchestra as one of Britain's leading wind ensembles. In April 2008, the orchestra was given a rare consistent achievement award for winning three successive gold awards at the National Concert Band Festival Finals.
Spencer's musical career has taken him around the world and he has conducted in the UK’s major concert halls including the Royal Festival Hall, the Barbican, Symphony Hall Birmingham, Snape Maltings and the Sage Gateshead.
His impressive musical achievements also include appearances for BBC Radio 2, the Jo Brand Show, Channel 4's Big Breakfast, the German Orchestra Philharmonie Der Nationen and South Africa’s Capetown Philharmonic. Spencer is also the musical director of Pioneer Brass - a professional ensemble featuring some of Britain's leading orchestral and West End players.
At a young age, Spencer won a scholarship to the Junior Guildhall. During this time,he represented his country with the Young Ambassadors Brass Band of Great Britain, was principal euphonium with Southern England's leading band Redbridge Brass and played with the Young Musician's Symphony Orchestra.
Spencer went on to gain an honours degree from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he studied euphonium and trombone and specialised in conducting.
