Conductors
Ben Qureshi
Conductor, Havant Symphony Orchestra
Ben Qureshi is a vibrant and inspiring conductor based in the South of England. A trombonist and singer in his childhood, Ben first took up the baton at university, becoming Assistant Conductor of the Southampton University Symphony Orchestra in 2021.
He spent a year abroad in Paris, studying Musicology at the Sorbonne, specialising in orchestral and operatic music from the 19th and early 20th Century. While in Paris, he became involved with the Sorbonne Orchestra and l’Orchestre des Grandes Écoles. Upon his return from France, Ben took the role of Interim Conductor of the Southampton University Symphony Orchestra, before handing over the reins in December 2023. During his final year of university, he enjoyed a busy conducting schedule.
Recent successes have included a performance at the Waterlooville Music Festival with Havant Chamber Orchestra, a last-minute stand-in for Per Piacere Chamber Orchestra, a tour of Germany and the Netherlands with Southampton University Symphony Orchestra and a “Last Night of the Proms” concert with Southampton Concert Orchestra.
In July 2024, Ben was awarded the Bob and Beryl Harding Conducting Bursary and made Assistant Conductor of the Havant Symphony Orchestra. He has also been made assistant conductor of Guildford Youth Symphony Orchestra. After graduating at the top of his year, Ben is continuing his affiliation with Southampton University, taking the role of Musical Director of Southampton University Sinfonietta for the Autumn 2024 term and Musical Director of Southampton University Chamber Choir.
He spent a year abroad in Paris, studying Musicology at the Sorbonne, specialising in orchestral and operatic music from the 19th and early 20th Century. While in Paris, he became involved with the Sorbonne Orchestra and l’Orchestre des Grandes Écoles. Upon his return from France, Ben took the role of Interim Conductor of the Southampton University Symphony Orchestra, before handing over the reins in December 2023. During his final year of university, he enjoyed a busy conducting schedule.
Recent successes have included a performance at the Waterlooville Music Festival with Havant Chamber Orchestra, a last-minute stand-in for Per Piacere Chamber Orchestra, a tour of Germany and the Netherlands with Southampton University Symphony Orchestra and a “Last Night of the Proms” concert with Southampton Concert Orchestra.
In July 2024, Ben was awarded the Bob and Beryl Harding Conducting Bursary and made Assistant Conductor of the Havant Symphony Orchestra. He has also been made assistant conductor of Guildford Youth Symphony Orchestra. After graduating at the top of his year, Ben is continuing his affiliation with Southampton University, taking the role of Musical Director of Southampton University Sinfonietta for the Autumn 2024 term and Musical Director of Southampton University Chamber Choir.
Robin Browning
Conductor, Havant Chamber Orchestra
Robin Browning is an established conductor and conducting teacher, praised by Sir Charles Mackerras as an “expert musician & conductor.” He is known for his deeply communicative style, commitment to musical storytelling, and championing of education and collaboration.
He is currently Music Director of four orchestras: De Havilland Philharmonic, Petersfield Orchestra, Havant Chamber Orchestra, and Essex Youth Orchestra, as well as Artistic Director of SÓN Orchestra – a flexible, professional ensemble. With SÓN, he led a celebrated residency at Southampton’s Turner Sims, launched the acclaimed Unwrapped series with artists such as David Owen Norris and John Suchet, and conducted a cycle of Beethoven concerti with legendary pianist John Lill.
Robin appears as a regular guest conductor across the UK and Europe, and has conducted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Hallé, Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and university orchestras at Oxford and Cambridge. He has collaborated with leading soloists such as Jack Liebeck, Raphael Wallfisch, and Jennifer Pike, and with artist and storyteller James Mayhew in over 50 education concerts.
A renowned conducting teacher, Robin has led workshops at Trinity Laban, Winchester College, and University of Hertfordshire. After 20 years teaching the conducting course at University of Southampton, Robin now works exclusively with the conductors in the British Army, serving as Professor of Conducting since 2022.
Robin studied with Sir Charles Mackerras, Ilya Musin, and Sian Edwards, and in masterclasses with Paavo Järvi, Sir Mark Elder and Benjamin Zander. He subsequently assisted Paavo Järvi with Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie and Philharmonia Orchestra, Sakari Oramo with BBC Symphony Orchestra, and Sian Edwards with London Sinfonietta at the BBC Proms.
He is a passionate advocate for music’s role in education and social change, and leads award-winning outreach projects including his work with SÓN Orchestra. His most recent project TRACE-E explores themes of sound, electronic waste, and education. His orchestral studio recordings are available on Spotify, Soundcloud, and Apple Music.
He is currently Music Director of four orchestras: De Havilland Philharmonic, Petersfield Orchestra, Havant Chamber Orchestra, and Essex Youth Orchestra, as well as Artistic Director of SÓN Orchestra – a flexible, professional ensemble. With SÓN, he led a celebrated residency at Southampton’s Turner Sims, launched the acclaimed Unwrapped series with artists such as David Owen Norris and John Suchet, and conducted a cycle of Beethoven concerti with legendary pianist John Lill.
Robin appears as a regular guest conductor across the UK and Europe, and has conducted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Hallé, Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and university orchestras at Oxford and Cambridge. He has collaborated with leading soloists such as Jack Liebeck, Raphael Wallfisch, and Jennifer Pike, and with artist and storyteller James Mayhew in over 50 education concerts.
A renowned conducting teacher, Robin has led workshops at Trinity Laban, Winchester College, and University of Hertfordshire. After 20 years teaching the conducting course at University of Southampton, Robin now works exclusively with the conductors in the British Army, serving as Professor of Conducting since 2022.
Robin studied with Sir Charles Mackerras, Ilya Musin, and Sian Edwards, and in masterclasses with Paavo Järvi, Sir Mark Elder and Benjamin Zander. He subsequently assisted Paavo Järvi with Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie and Philharmonia Orchestra, Sakari Oramo with BBC Symphony Orchestra, and Sian Edwards with London Sinfonietta at the BBC Proms.
He is a passionate advocate for music’s role in education and social change, and leads award-winning outreach projects including his work with SÓN Orchestra. His most recent project TRACE-E explores themes of sound, electronic waste, and education. His orchestral studio recordings are available on Spotify, Soundcloud, and Apple Music.
