Dr. Robert Childs

Dr. Childs is an associate of the Royal College of Music, a Fellow of the London College of Music and gained a distinction in a Masters Degree from the University of Leeds. He also holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from the Open University.

Robert's status as a professional musician encompasses many fields of music making.
 

He is Director of Brass Band Studies at the Welsh College of Music & Drama, Professor of Euphonium at the Royal Northern College of Music and the University of Leeds, where he also conducts the Brass Band.

Robert is a tutor and council member to the National Youth Brass Bands of Wales and Great Britain and is also a council member of the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain. He has recently been appointed Conductor of the National Youth Brass band of Belgium. He is also an experienced record producer and director of Doyen Recordings.

Robert conducted and performed with the Yorkshire-based Black Dyke Band for almost ten years and conducted them on several important occasions, including performances with Susanna Walton, Lesley Garret, Philip Smith and The Beautiful South. He has also performed with many of the UK's leading orchestras.

As a clinician for Boosey & Hawkes Musical Instruments, he regularly gives solo recitals in prestigious halls at home and abroad. He has performed in Carnegie Hall, The Royal Albert Hall,The Grieg Hall, The Royal Festival Hall and the Sydney Opera House. He frequently delivers masterclasses at Universities at home and abroad.

In May 2000, Robert was delighted to accept an invitation to become the Professional Musical Director of the Buy As You View Cory Band from the Rhondda in South Wales, thus re-uniting him with Wales and associating him with the band he has held in such high esteem since he was a boy. In a short space of time he revitalised brass banding in Wales by steering his new band to win the British Open Championship, the National Championship and runner-up at the European Championship in a single season.

In July, 2002, Robert became Musical Director to the National Youth Brass Band of Wales, following distinguished names such as Edward Gregson, James Gourlay, Bramwell Tovey, Howard Snell and James Watson.

In December, 2002, Robert was awarded the title 'Doctor of Musical Arts' from the University of Leeds.

Robert is part of a very musical family, both his children and wife play brass instruments. His son, David recently appeared on television as the Brass Finalist in the Young Musician of the Year competition and his brother Nicholas is also an accomplished conductor.