Dr. Nicholas Bannan

Biography

Nicholas Bannan's early musical experience began as a chorister at Canterbury Cathedral. He studied Music at Cambridge University, specializing in vocal studies and composition. He has taught at various schools, including Eton College and the Yehudi Menuhin School, and served as Director of Music at Desborough School, Maidenhead, where he conducted choirs and worked with London orchestras on frequent television and radio broadcasts. Bannan has developed his composing skills over the years, winning the Fribourg Prize for Sacred Music in 1986 and completing commissions for notable ensembles. He has performed as a conductor with the Esterhazy Singers and was involved with 1913 Ensemble Act Creation, promoting contemporary music. His educational endeavors include research at the University of Reading in vocal education and leading the Harmony Signing project. Awarded a doctorate in 2002, Bannan has also served in various roles, including Director of Music Teaching in Professional Practice Initiative at the University of Reading. He founded the Winthrop Singers at UWA, which performs regularly and has toured internationally. Bannan's current research centers on the evolutionary origins of music and its relationship to human culture, language, and pedagogy. He supervises students in diverse musical fields and is involved in multiple projects exploring music's impact on well-being and learning.

Research Interests

Experience