Christopher Seaman
Encyclopedia
Christopher Seaman is a British
conductor
, the son of Albert Edward Seaman and Ethel Margery Seaman. He was educated at Canterbury Cathedral
Choir School and The King's School, Canterbury
, and later studied at King's College, Cambridge
. From 1964 to 1968, he was principal timpanist with the London Philharmonic Orchestra
, before his appointment from 1968 to 1970 as assistant conductor with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
(BBC SSO). He later served as the BBC SSO's principal conductor, from 1971 to 1977. Seaman has also held the post of Principal Guest Conductor and Artistic Advisor to the conducting course at the Guildhall School of Music.
In the USA, Seaman was resident conductor of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
from 1987 to 1998. From 1993 to 2004, he was music director of the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, in Florida
. In 1998, Seaman became music director of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
, continuing through 2011 and becoming that orchestra's longest-tenured conductor. In October 2009, the orchestra announced the conclusion of Seaman's tenure as director with the 2010-2011 season, and his lifetime appointment as the RPO’s Conductor Laureate. Seaman has conducted recordings with the Rochester Philharmonic for the harmonia mundi label. Seaman is also currently the Artistic Advisor to the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra, through the 2009-2010 season.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, the son of Albert Edward Seaman and Ethel Margery Seaman. He was educated at Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, Kent, is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England and forms part of a World Heritage Site....
Choir School and The King's School, Canterbury
The King's School, Canterbury
The King's School is a British co-educational independent school for both day and boarding pupils in the historic English cathedral city of Canterbury in Kent. It is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference and the Eton Group....
, and later studied at King's College, Cambridge
King's College, Cambridge
King's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England. The college's full name is "The King's College of our Lady and Saint Nicholas in Cambridge", but it is usually referred to simply as "King's" within the University....
. From 1964 to 1968, he was principal timpanist with the London Philharmonic Orchestra
London Philharmonic Orchestra
The London Philharmonic Orchestra , based in London, is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom, and is based in the Royal Festival Hall. In addition, the LPO is the main resident orchestra of the Glyndebourne Festival Opera...
, before his appointment from 1968 to 1970 as assistant conductor with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra is a broadcasting symphony orchestra based in Glasgow, Scotland. One of five full-time orchestras maintained by the British Broadcasting Corporation , it is the oldest full-time professional orchestra in Scotland...
(BBC SSO). He later served as the BBC SSO's principal conductor, from 1971 to 1977. Seaman has also held the post of Principal Guest Conductor and Artistic Advisor to the conducting course at the Guildhall School of Music.
In the USA, Seaman was resident conductor of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is a professional American symphony orchestra based in Baltimore, Maryland.In September 2007, Maestra Marin Alsop led her inaugural concerts as the Orchestra’s twelfth music director, making her the first woman to head a major American orchestra.The BSO Board...
from 1987 to 1998. From 1993 to 2004, he was music director of the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. In 1998, Seaman became music director of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra is an American orchestra based in the city of Rochester, Monroe County, New York. Its primary concert venue is the Eastman Theatre at the Eastman School of Music....
, continuing through 2011 and becoming that orchestra's longest-tenured conductor. In October 2009, the orchestra announced the conclusion of Seaman's tenure as director with the 2010-2011 season, and his lifetime appointment as the RPO’s Conductor Laureate. Seaman has conducted recordings with the Rochester Philharmonic for the harmonia mundi label. Seaman is also currently the Artistic Advisor to the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra, through the 2009-2010 season.