Ian Smith – Conductor

Ian is one of the leading conductors in the Bedford and Milton Keynes area. He has been Musical Director and principal conductor of Bedford Choral Society for more than 30 years.

Educated at York University and Queens’ College Cambridge, he moved to Milton Keynes in 1975 and to Bedford in 1981. Ian is also musical director and principal conductor of the Danesborough Chorus, based in Woburn.

Ian’s wide-ranging repertoire of choral performances has included Rachmaninov’s Vespers, Vaughan Williams’ Sea Symphony and Dona Nobis Pacem, Verdi’s Requiem, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and Mass in B Minor, Dankworth’s The Diamond and the Goose, Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Karl Jenkins’ Requiem and The Armed Man, Handel’s Judas Maccabeus and Messiah and Monteverdi’s Vespers.

His long career includes radio recordings and television appearances for BBC and ITV. In recognition of his breadth of musical experience and enthusiasm, Ian has been invited to conduct a number of orchestras, including Milton Keynes City Orchestra and Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra. He was also conductor of the Bedfordshire County Youth Second Orchestra for 23 years. As a violinist, he is leader of the Beverley String Quartet.

As a freelance musician Ian has worked for the Professional Development department of the ABRSM and has delivered courses to teachers in England, Hong Kong and Singapore. He is a Trustee of The Wavendon Allmusic Plan where he is also an active member of the Theatre Board. Until his retirement from full-time teaching Ian was Director of Music, Head of Expressive Arts and Assistant Headteacher at Wootton Upper School, near Bedford. Prior to that he was Head of Bedfordshire County Music Service. He continues to be actively involved in practical music-making throughout the area. and takes a keen interest in the work of the Bedfordshire Music Trust, the organisation which runs orchestra and band courses for the young people of Bedfordshire and the surrounding area.

In 2022 The Vice-Chancellor of the Open University awarded Ian the Honorary Degree of Master of the University. This was in recognition of his “exceptional contribution to education and culture”. The nomination was for “the outstanding influence you have had on the musical, artistic and cultural life of Milton Keynes and Bedfordshire, enriching the lives of those you have worked with”.