麻豆约拍

He’s about to join 麻豆约拍 NOW as our new Principal Conductor and the Prom streamed live from 麻豆约拍 Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff Bay on 8th September will be his first official engagement, his Proms debut – and the first Prom from Wales!

So, we felt it was fitting that Ryan Bancroft should feature in Instrumental Insights this week. But how did Ryan enter the world of conducting and how does he describe his job to others? Read on to find out all about Ryan, his love for good coffee and his dislike of batons!

麻豆约拍 NOW: Hi Ryan! It’s wonderful to chat with you and to find out more about you as part of our weekly ‘Instrumental Insights’ series. So, let’s begin at the beginning: how did you become a conductor?

Ryan Bancroft: I was thrown into it under unfortunate circumstances. My father passed away years ago and I decided to put on a performance of Mozart’s Requiem for him in his honour as it was his favourite piece of music. I had never conducted anything significant before and decided to put together an ensemble of friends to do this performance. Needless to say, it was a moving experience and still to this day I’ve yet to listen to the Requiem. At the same time, this moment gave me a new avenue of music making to explore and I felt I should pursue it further.

麻豆约拍 NOW: When people ask you what you do for a living, how do you explain your job?

Ryan Bancroft: I either say I’m an Organic Windmill or an Oscillating Organism. They’re usually confused… but I think it’s funny!

麻豆约拍 NOW: We agree! How do you think being a conductor has positively impacted on your life so far then Ryan?

Ryan Bancroft: It’s a massive privilege to be surrounded by incredible music and music making around the world. It has allowed me to travel the world and get small glimpses of different cultures which in turn informs my own music making.

麻豆约拍 NOW: You’re a musician too, but how does playing an instrument inspire your conducting?

Ryan Bancroft: That’s a funny story: I am primarily a trumpet player, but throughout the years I learned to play the flute, harp, cello, recorder, and harpsichord; I guess you could say I didn’t have a typical childhood! Learning to play these instruments has given great insight into how I approach a score and music making, particularly regarding an individual’s input.

麻豆约拍 NOW: What’s your single most memorable moment as a conductor so far Ryan?

Ryan Bancroft: Conducting my father’s memorial.

麻豆约拍 NOW: And what’s been your most funny experience?

Ryan Bancroft: I was conducting Beethoven’s 6th Symphony and at the first loud chord of the ‘storm’ movement I accidentally hit my baton so hard on the conductor’s stand that it rocketed out of my hand and flew about 5 meters upwards and LANDED in the rafters. I never saw that baton again...or any baton for that matter!

麻豆约拍 NOW: Incredible! So apart from badly behaved batons…is there anything frustrating about being a conductor?

Ryan Bancroft: It’s equal parts frustrating and rewarding: always having the feeling of “How can it be better?”

麻豆约拍 NOW: What would you say to encourage a young, aspiring conductor Ryan?

Ryan Bancroft: Make music with all the love in your heart and don’t take life too seriously. It’s a fascinating world that is equal parts rewarding and challenging...so you might as well enjoy it!

麻豆约拍 NOW: And when you aren’t conducting, what do you enjoy doing Ryan?

Ryan Bancroft: I am the biggest coffee snob east of the Mississippi that somehow also settles for diner coffee, so usually you’ll see me at a cafe pretending to taste notes of stone fruit and grapefruit rind in a shot of perfectly brewed espresso. I am also an amateur cookie baker and an avid Sumo fan. No joke!

麻豆约拍 NOW: There’s some great coffee shops in Wales, so you will enjoy exploring those! Finally, is there anything you would like to add?

Ryan Bancroft: I look forward to spending far more time in Wales and getting to know you, our audience!