Robert Howden
I was born in Galashiels in the Scottish Borders and made my first appearance in Melrose Operatic Society’s production of ‘The Gondoliers’ in 1968.After leaving teacher’s training college in Dundee I moved to Elgin and became a member of Elgin Operatic Society where I was in the chorus and then moved onto the position of Musical Director after the company’s resident MD became ill.
After moving to Edinburgh in 1988 I concentrated more on conducting and over the next years conducted shows in Edinburgh and Glasgow both in the cities professional theatres and amateur venues.
I also conducted for various clubs in the Scottish Borders and across the Firth of Forth in Fife.
During the late 80’s and early 90’ I was involved with the then NODA Summer schools held at Ripon where I assisted the director of the school Percy Lovell in preparing performance extracts of well known Grand Operas such as ‘Turandot’ ‘Manon Lescaut’ and ‘Peter Grimes’
A few years ago I established ‘The Edinburgh Stage and Screen orchestra’ which give concerts of music from the stage and the silver screen .This ensemble consists of about 50 musicians.
I am currently MD for Kirkcaldy G and S society and guest conductor for Innerleithen Operatic Society.
