Official Biography

More about Robin

Robin Browning is an established conductor, performer and music-educator. Praised as an “expert musician & conductor” by Sir Charles Mackerras, his passionate belief in the power of music to change lives informs everything he does – whether on stage, in the recording studio, his work with youngsters, or teaching the next generation of musical leaders. Robin is a vocal advocate for music’s impact on society and community, and for the arts in general.

Since making his debut with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at London’s Barbican, Robin has conducted the Hallé Orchestra, Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble Intercontemporain, St Petersburg Festival Orchestra and Estonian National Youth Orchestra. He made his US debut in 2011 with the Boise Philharmonic, and is now Artistic Director of SÓN – Orchestra in Association at Southampton’s Turner Sims. Robin is also Music Director of de Havilland Philharmonic, Essex Youth Orchestra, Petersfield Orchestra and Havant Chamber Orchestra.

He has assisted Paavo Järvi on multiple projects including the Philharmonia Orchestra’s recent Nielsen cycle and complete Beethoven symphonies with Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie. Robin also worked with Sakari Oramo for the UK Premiere of Esa-Pekka Salonen’s Violin Concerto with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and Sian Edwards with the London Sinfonietta at the BBC Proms.

Full Biography

Artistic Leadership

Spearheading SÓN: Southampton's Professional Orchestra

Since launching in 2015, SÓN – now Orchestra in Association at Turner Sims Concert Hall – has grown into one of the most respected & impactful ensembles in the south. Equally committed to virtuoso performances & ground-breaking outreach initiatives, Robin has steered the success of SÓN from its inception.

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Changing Lives Through Music

Delivering powerful, inspiring education projects

Robin has an established track-record of impacting lives, due to an unflinching belief in the power of music to change people for good. Through his vision & inspiring artistic leadership, he designs and delivers education & outreach projects which show the extraordinary power of the arts to catalyse change.

His skill in devising & leading community projects inspires people of all ages, including those in SEND & other non-mainstream settings – from initial concept to enthralling final performances.

Featured Projects

Nurturing the Conductors of Tomorrow

Conductor teaching, training & development

Robin is passionately dedicated to teaching and developing the careers of conductors everywhere. Having studied his craft over many years with some of the world’s greatest conductors and pedagogues, he is now ideally positioned to pass that knowledge onto others.

Since January 2022, Robin has been Professor of Conducting for the British Army, working intensively with dedicated students, all heading for careers as Directors of Music and Army Bandmasters. He works in detail on baton technique, rehearsal methods, and score-preparation, marking & learning, always steering students towards an optimal balance of technical discipline and expressivity.

In addition, Robin is Specialist Tutor in Conducting at University of Southampton – rated as the UK’s No 1 music department in 2020. For many years he has delivered the highly-regarded conducting course, coaching students at undergraduate & postgraduate level for a potential career in orchestral conducting, as well as for musical theatre and choral, operatic and contemporary ensemble conducting.

There are many ways of studying with Robin – either in person or online – including individual 1-to-1 coaching, and at university as an undergraduate or postgraduate. If you’d like to develop your presence on the podium, deepen your musical impact and strengthen your baton technique, get in touch and let’s discuss how you can achieve your musical ambitions.

University of Southampton Profile

Musical Orbit Profile

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Watch & LIsten

Recordings, Films & Documentaries

Catch Robin on stage, sample his artistry in the recording studio, and explore his work in these revealing behind-the-scenes interviews & documentaries.

Check out more content on YouTube and Vimeo.

Featured Media

The Birth of an Orchestra

SÓN – Sibelius Unwrapped

Captured in rehearsal & performance during SÓN Orchestra’s Sibelius Unwrapped event, Robin outlines the artistic vision behind creating a new professional orchestra, and why Sibelius proved the perfect composer to explore for its launch.

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Changing lives through music education

The SÓN eWaste Project

85 youngsters perform their own words & music alongside professional musicians, with film, graphics & sampled sounds, in this empowering project exploring one of the world’s most crucial environmental issues. Devised, co-composed & conducted by Robin Browning, with funding from ESPRC and University of Southampton

SÓN eWaste Project