Dr Ian Higginson
DMus, FTCL, FLCM, FVCM, FMCM, HonFNCM
Fields: Musical Composition

Dr Higginson completed his musical education at Trinity College of Music, The London College of Music and at EAU, where he earned a doctorate in Music with specialism in Composition. He is Director of Music at the University of Gloucestershire, UK, where he directs both the University Choir and the University Chamber Orchestra, and works as a busy freelance conductor, organist and teacher in the Cheltenham area. Current appointments include Conductor and Musical Director of the Cheltenham Choral Society, Conductor and Artistic Director of Jubilate Chamber Choir and the English Concertante Orchestra. He is an experienced organist and is School Organist and teacher of piano and organ at St Edward's School, Cheltenham.

He is a prolific composer whose works have been published by Hinshaw Music USA, St. James Music Press USA, Boosey & Hawkes, Animus Publishing and his own imprint Parish Publications. Much of his music has won critical acclaim from both sides of the Atlantic, some of which has been selected as set works for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music examinations and competitive music festivals around the country. His music has been performed at prestigious events, including the Piccolo Spoleto Festival USA, and by ensembles including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra, City of Glasgow Chorus, Bristol Cathedral Concert Choir and the CBSO Chorus and Orchestra.

He has received Fellowships honoris causa from the Victoria College of Music, National College of Music and Metropolitan College of Music, and in 2006 received an award from Cheltenham Arts Council in recognition of his work with choirs in the Cheltenham area and the first performance of his choral work ‘In Times of Trouble’.