Management Background
Bob Bickerton has an extensive background in performing arts management.
Here are a few highlights:
Nelson School Of Music
Bob was Director of the Nelson School Of Music between 1987 and 1994 where he introduced many community initiatives and was instrumental in developing a tertiary level contemporary music course at the school (now held at the Nelson Marlborough Institute Of Technology). Whilst there the school produced hundreds of concerts and in 1994 produced Nelson’s first major festival, the Nelson School Of Music’s Centennial Festival, which has since gone on to be the School’s Winter Festival.
Nelson School Of Music
Dunedin Sinfonia
Bob was General Manager of the Dunedin Sinfonia (now Southern Sinfonia) from 1984 to 1987. During this time audience numbers grew considerably and a new concert series was introduced featuring more contemporary works in collaboration with Artistic Director Jack Speirs.
Southern Sinfonia
Ceol Aneas
Bob was a founder and former chairperson of the Celtic Flute School Of New Zealand which now organises a school of traditional Irish music in Nelson each year over Queen’s Birthday Weekend.
Ceol Aneas
New Zealand Uilleann Piper’s Association
Bob was a founder and former chairperson of the New Zealand Uilleann Piper’s Association which still continues to hold annual ‘Tionol’ or meetings of pipers.
New Zealand Uilleann Piper’s Association
School Of Celtic Music
Bob ran a series of annual informal schools in the 1980s exploring aspects of Celtic music.
Other
He has also been instrumental in producing concerts and festivals for folk clubs and music groups for almost 40 years.