Rupert Bond

Rupert Bond was born in London. He gained his Bachelor of Music degree at Goldsmiths' College, London University and then successfully auditioned for the Conductor’s Course at the Royal Academy of Music, where he also studied the Double Bass. His most formative musical experience was as a student of George Hurst. He also holds a Master of Music degree in Composition from Surrey University. In 1999 he was appointed an Associate of the RAM for “Services to Music”.

Beginning his career as a free-lance conductor and bass player, a change of direction led to his appointment as Director of Music at James Allen's Girls' School in London – a position once held by Gustav Holst. Whilst in post he continued his conducting vocation and founded the professional orchestra, Docklands Sinfonietta. He also develops his skills as a composer and has to date written over 40 works. 

Returning to full-time conducting in 2003, he worked in New Zealand (2006–2007) and South West England (2008–2013), before returning to London and now lives with his family in Eynsford, Kent. Recent projects include a CD recording with the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra of music by the New Zealand composer, Eric Biddington. Rupert works with many orchestras, including, as Musical Director, the Folkestone Symphony, Kingston 3AO, Southwark Sinfonietta, the Sonnet Wind Orchestra, and the Wandsworth Symphony Orchestra. He also regularly conducts the European Doctors’ Orchestra and Surrey Philharmonic.

He believes passionately in Gustav Mahler’s dictum, 

“in each performance a work has to be re-born”