HILARY DAVAN WETTON is one of Britain’s most versatile and dynamic conductors, probably best known for his broadcasts on Classic FM’s Masterclass. As a recording artist, his 1994 disc of Holst’s Choral Symphony was awarded the prestigious Diapason d’Or and he has made highly acclaimed recordings with the Holst Singers and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition to the Classical Road Show, his regular commitments include the City of London Choir, the Guildford Choral Society and the Milton Keynes City Orchestra. He has a real commitment to young people, through work with youth orchestras and audience building. In 2002 he conducted the Edinburgh International Youth Orchestra during the Festival; in 2003 he conducts the National Children’s Orchestra in the Symphony Hall, Birmingham, and in the Queen Elizabeth Hall.

Hilary performs regularly on Radio 3; he has given many premieres both with the BBC Concert Orchestra and with the Ulster Orchestra. In 1988 he made a series of recordings with the London Philharmonic Orchestra for Collins Classics. In 1991, he conducted for the French company Ballet du Nord, the first ever danced version of Mozart’s Requiem in a double bill with Stravinsky’s Apollo at London’s Sadler’s Wells Theatre. Currently Director of Music at Tonbridge School, he was a pupil of Sir Adrian Boult at the Royal College of Music where he won the Ricordi Conducting Prize. An alumnus of Oxford University, he has also been awarded honorary degrees by the Open University (MA) and de Montfort University (DMus). www.hilarydavanwetton.co.uk