Richard Davis

Richard Davis regularly conducts professional orchestras, such as the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Philharmonic, in concerts, recordings, radio broadcasts and on television. He has also directed operas and requiem masses with the BBC Singers and has just been invited to make his debut with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO).

Richard’s role, at the MCM, includes training the Philharmonic Orchestra and also conducting the performances of our ‘flag-ship ensemble’ the Symphony Orchestra. He serves as chair of the Orchestra Advisory Committee which chooses suitable yet demanding repertoire and influences the day-to-day running of the orchestral program. In 2018, in addition to conducting all of the University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s public concerts, he will also be taking them on a prestigious international tour to Asia.
Recently, in the Royal Albert Hall (London), Richard conducted the BBC Philharmonic on television at the UK Proms:
'Launching in with vibrancy and accuracy...conductor Richard Davis, virtually dancing on his podium, as he navigated his crew through yearning lines and briskly syncopated rhythms...his magnificently disciplined orchestra...superlative execution...rousing.’ Bachtrack.
He is known for his wide-ranging repertoire, allowing him to conduct projects across many genres – from television soundtracks and Family Concerts to recording avant-garde world premieres and performing the symphonies of Mahler and Dvorak.‘...the BBC Philharmonic, expertly conducted by Richard Davis’ RoyalAlbertHall.com
Richard has also conducted the BBC Philharmonic at major rock events – online, on television and on national radio – with chart-topping groups such as The 1975 and Clean Bandit. The former recently won the BBC Music Award for ‘Best Live Performance of 2016’ and the latter was subsequently made into a Warner Music CD and DVD – New Eyes (special edition) that stayed in the top 40 UK Album Charts for months.
Recent conducting collaborations have also included working with Oscar-winning and ‘Gravity’ composer Steve Price, on a WW1 tribute for BBC television shown every year, across the BBC network, on Remembrance Day.
‘Davis conducts with agility and verve’ Otago Daily Times.
In 2010, Richard stepped into an indisposed conductor’s shoes and conducted the BBC Philharmonic with only a few hours’ notice. The live broadcasted concert resulted in praise from the press – being described as ‘an exemplary conductor’ in Ariel magazine – letters of admiration from listeners along with much additional conducting work.
‘Davis conducted a bracing overture...[he] inhabited the notes and arrangements with considerable panache...always sensitive to the vocalists... suggested rehearsal time well spent.’ Classical Source.
Richard’s book: Becoming an Orchestral Musician – A Guide for Aspiring Professionals, sells world-wide and has been described as ‘an unbeatable-value master class’ (Classical Music Magazine) containing ‘Brilliance and honesty on every page’ (Pan Magazine) covering a ‘down- to-earth, informative introduction to life as a professional musician’ (Daily Telegraph).
Richard is also known as a flute player – having played as principal flute with the BBCX Philharmonic for over thirty years. He premiered flute concertos by Bernstein and Maxwell-Davies, recorded and performed solo recitals many times on national and international broadcasts, won 1st prize in international solo competitions and taught at the Royal Northern College of Music, in Manchester, for 25 years.