Dr Daniel Bickerton
MMus PhD (Wales) PGD (London) AFHEA LMusTCL AMusTCL FTCL LTCL ATCL
Senior Lecturer and Director of Learning and Teaching
- bickertondi@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 (0)29 2087 0405
- Fax:
- +44 (0)29 2087 4379
- 0.18, 37 Corbett Rd., 33-37 Corbett Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF10 3EB
- Media commentator
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Overview
I am a Senior Lecturer in Music and currently oversee the education portfolio at the School of Music. I am passionate about teaching and inspiring students to think creatively and analytically about their music-making. I am committed in my leadership to hone our thoroughly dynamic curriculum and champion diversity and inclusivity, enabling students to make positive connections between multiple areas of the discipline.
I compose music and am particularly interested in perception of contrapuntal texture, the use of digital technology in live performance, as well as music that may be defined as intertextual. Although I grew up studying mostly classical music, I have a special interest in jazz and crossover music. I am also interested in composing music for educational purposes and music pedagogy. During my university studies at Cardiff and Trinity Laban, I was taught by Arlene Sierra, Stephen Montague and Judith Weir. In addition to writing music, I have research interests in creative leadership and collaboration in the arts.
My music has been described as 'soulful', and 'full of skittish cascades' and 'invoking a sense of period and character – and just a little (harmless) madness' in The Times. About my music, conductor Paul McClure has written 'the fingerprint of this composer's style is effective and driving ostinati; the flexibility of metre is authoritative and compelling'. My compositions have been performed at home and abroad, with particular highlights including the Royal Albert Hall, Purcell Room, St David's Hall and Birmingham Symphony Hall (UK), the Koret Auditorium, San Francisco, and Paul Creative Arts Centre, New Hampshire (US), La Mortella, Reduta Jazz Club, Palais de Festivités as well as at various European jazz festivals. My music has also been played on BBC Radio Wales and ITV Wales.
Biography
Education and qualifications
- 2018: FTCL Composition (Trinity College London)
- 2014: LMusTCL in Theory and Analysis (Trinity College London)
- 2012: PhD (Composition) Cardiff University, UK
- 2012: AFHEA (Higher Education Academy)
- 2011: AMusTCL with Distinction (Trinity College London)
- 2009: LTCL: Teaching with Distinction (Trinity College London)
- 2008: PGD with Distinction (Composition) Trinity Laban Conservatoire, UK
- 2007: MMus with Distinction (Composition) Cardiff University, UK
- 2006: BMus (Hons) with First Class Honours, Cardiff University, UK
- 2004: ATCL: Recital with Distinction (Trinity College London)
Honours and awards
- CUROP (July 2019)
- School of the Year (November 2017)
- Cardiff University Outstanding Contribution Award (October 2017)
- Ede & Ravenscroft (July 2017)
- CUROP (July 2016)
- First Campus for Outreach and Engagement (2014-16)
- CUSU for Benjamin Britten Centenary: Celebration for Composers (2013)
- Cardiff University Research Studentship (2008-2012)
- Joan Greenfield Fellowship (2007-08)
- Welsh Livery Guild (2007)
- AHRC (2006-07)
- Celia Thomas Bequest (2006)
Professional memberships
- Chair, Expressive Arts Committee - Widening Participation Network | Step Up Programme Development
- Member, Public Engagement Professionals Network (PEP) | National Co-ordination Centre for Public Engagement
- Member, National Education Strategy Forum
- Composer in Residence, National Orchestras for All | Modulo (2018-present)
- Fellow, Music Composition | Trinity College London
- Member, First Campus Engagement and Outreach Network
- Senior Examiner | AMusTCL Music Theory and Composition, Trinity College London (2015-present)
- Associate Fellow | Higher Education Academy (2012-present) for professional recognition of Teaching and Scholarship
Academic positions
- 2020 - present: Senior Lecturer, Cardiff University
- 2020 - present: Director of Learning and Teaching | Cardiff University School of Music (including Digital Education Lead)
- 2016 - 2020: Director of Undergraduate Studies | Cardiff University School of Music
- 2014 - 2016: Deputy Undergraduate Admissions Tutor | Cardiff University School of Music
- 2014 - 2020: Lecturer, Cardiff University
- 2013 - 2014: Lecturer in Music and Ideology | Leeds College of Music
- 2009 - 2014: Associate Lecturer | Cardiff University School of Music
Speaking engagements
- MusicHE (2020) - Ensemble music-making: responding to the challenges of COVID-19 for performers and composers
- Cardiff University Business School (2018) - Assessment and Feedback: Challenges in MUSIC, presented at 'Assessment Challenges and Challenging Assessment' (Cardiff, 24.09.18)
- Cardiff University CEI Conference (2018) - Learn Plus: Advantages in formative assessments
- Leeds College of Music (2014)
- Trinity Laban (2013)
- Cardiff University (2013)
- RMA Kings College London (2010)
- Trinity Laban (2009)
- Keele University (2008)
Committees and reviewing
- Co-Chair, Programme and Partner Standing Panel | ASQC (2021 - present)
- Chair, Learning and Teaching Committee | MUSIC (2020 - present)
- Member, School Management Board | MUSIC (2019 - present)
- Member, Programme and Partner Standing Panel | ASQC (2019 - present)
- Member, AHSS College Academic Education Network | CAEN (2019 - present)
- Chair, Expressive Arts | Education and Outreach Network (2019 - 2020)
- Lead Mentor | MUSIC - Guizhou Exchange Programme (2018 - present)
- Member, Workload Modelling Review | AHSS (2018 - 2019)
- Chair, Undergraduate Board of Studies | MUSIC (2016 - 2020)
- Chair, Examination and Year Boards | MUSIC (2016 - 2020)
- Senior Examiner | Trinity College London (2015 - present)
- Member, Learning and Teaching Committee | MUSIC (2015 - 2020)
- Assessment and Feedback Lead | MUSIC (2015 - 2019)
- Examinations Convenor | MUSIC (2015 - 2018)
- Personal Tutor (2014 - present)
- Member, Staff Student Panel | MUSIC (2014 - present)
- Member, Postgraduate Taught Board of Studies | MUSIC (2014 - present)
- Member, Postgraduate Taught Examination and Year Boards | MUSIC (2014 - present)
- Widening Participation Lead (formerly Widening Access Lead) | MUSIC (2013 - present)
- Member of IT Committee (2013 - 2014)
Publications
2022
- Bickerton, D. 2022. Nothing new here! Composing with counterpoint: Challenge and freedom. Presented at: International Lecture, Jagiellonian University, Krakòw, Poland, 13 June 2022.
- Bickerton, D. 2022. Composing music in Wales: Sound and style. Presented at: International Lecture, Jagiellonian University, Krakòw, Poland, 14 June 2022.
- Bickerton, D. 2022. Challenging tradition: Transforming assessment in higher education music. Presented at: MusicHE Annual Conference, Online, 3 May 2022.
- Bickerton, D. 2022. Fogbow for two pianos.
- Bickerton, D. 2022. Consolation: for soprano saxophone and piano.
- Bickerton, D. 2022. Together again: for orchestra.
- Bickerton, D. 2022. Confremant Saecula Studentum, Evans (1909) arr. Bickerton (2022).
- Bickerton, D. 2022. Weather By Funk II (2022) for big band.
2021
- Bickerton, D. 2021. Sinuous grace: for solo piano.
- Bickerton, D. 2021. "the women danced but the king was afraid" (2021) for baroque violin and cello.
- Bickerton, D. 2021. Into the rare: for two clarinets.
2020
- Bickerton, D. 2020. Yearning.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. Wires Crossed.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. Wild Water.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. As Alive As Ever.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. Breaker of Stones.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. Ensemble music-making: responding to the challenges of COVID-19 for performers and composers. Presented at: MusicHE 2020, Online, 3 July 2020.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. Call me to you: for solo oboe.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. Roots.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. Breaking down barriers to online music-making. Presented at: Music Mark Annual Conference, Online, 22 October 2020.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. What heights of love: for violin and piano.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. We will dance again.
2019
- Bickerton, D. 2019. By Gosh, By Golly. Daniel Bickerton.
- Bickerton, D. 2019. nighTrain.
- Bickerton, D. 2019. Smile.
2018
- Bickerton, D. 2018. The opportunities of Panopto within the School of Music. Cardiff: Cardiff University Centre for Education Innovation. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnw6gdTKlIk
- Bickerton, D. 2018. Assessment and feedback challenges in music. Presented at: Assessment Challenges and Challenging Assessment, Cardiff, UK, 24 September 2018.
- Bickerton, D. 2018. Learn Plus: Advantages in formative assessments. Presented at: Cardiff University Education Innovation Week, Cardiff, UK, 23 January 2018.
- Bickerton, D. and Gornall, L. 2018. Playing together: What can academics in higher education learn from musicians about creative leadership and collaboration?. In: Gornall, L., Thomas, B. and Sweetman, L. eds. Exploring Consensual Leadership in Higher Education. London: Bloomsbury, pp. 243-262.
- Bickerton, D. 2018. Flypast.
- Bickerton, D. 2018. Simmer down.
2017
- Bickerton, D. and Allen, P. 2017. Cardiff - Capital city of Wales. Cardiff: Cardiff University. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqicqIMGGpI
- Bickerton, D. 2017. Sea of Stone [Tyne Cot Sketches: II]. Bickerton.
- Bickerton, D. 2017. Mad About ThaT.
- Bickerton, D. 2017. The pitch within.
2016
- Bickerton, D. 2016. Even though it's breaking, imagine!.
- Bickerton, D. 2016. #CONNECT.
2015
- Bickerton, D. 2015. Textbook.
- Bickerton, D. 2015. Weather By Funk.
- Bickerton, D. 2015. Eclipse.
- Bickerton, D. 2015. Invictus.
- Bickerton, D. 2015. Two mourning angels [Tyne Cot Sketches: I].
- Bickerton, D. 2015. Ballad.
2014
- Bickerton, D. 2014. Let's Do It Again.
- Bickerton, D. 2014. Redux Shone Through Time.
- Bickerton, D. 2014. Inward Thinking.
- Bickerton, D. 2014. Evening Dew.
- Bickerton, D. 2014. The Cause.
2013
- Bickerton, D. 2013. Stand Up.
- Bickerton, D. 2013. The Panther of Lugash.
- Bickerton, D. 2013. Unintentional Art of Glass.
- Bickerton, D. 2013. Firmly Grounded.
- Bickerton, D. 2013. Caution.
2012
- Bickerton, D. 2012. Garuda.
- Bickerton, D. 2012. Save Our Chariots.
- Bickerton, D. 2012. Blaenwern.
- Bickerton, D. 2012. Three Children's pieces.
2011
- Bickerton, D. 2011. Equation.
- Bickerton, D. 2011. Ecclesiastical musings.
- Bickerton, D. 2011. Delivered.
- Bickerton, D. 2011. This Masquerade.
2010
- Bickerton, D. 2010. The meaning of Alex.
- Bickerton, D. 2010. Whimsical.
- Bickerton, D. 2010. When The Stakes Are High.
2009
- Bickerton, D. 2009. Lunarscape.
- Bickerton, D. 2009. Nocturne.
- Bickerton, D. 2009. Epiphany.
2008
- Bickerton, D. 2008. The Court Jester.
- Bickerton, D. 2008. A Suite of Eastern Expression.
2007
- Bickerton, D. 2007. On The Edge.
- Bickerton, D. 2007. Phoenix.
- Bickerton, D. 2007. An Oracle of Earthly and Divine Authority.
- Bickerton, D. 2007. States of Mind.
- Bickerton, D. 2007. Prayer.
- Bickerton, D. 2007. Apokaluptein.
- Bickerton, D. 2007. For a Moment.
- Bickerton, D. 2007. Medusa, Vallejo.
2006
- Bickerton, D. 2006. Fanfare for Gwent.
- Bickerton, D. 2006. Etifeddiaeth.
- Bickerton, D. 2006. Ocean Sketch.
2005
- Bickerton, D. 2005. Genesis.
- Bickerton, D. 2005. Woodpeckers.
2004
- Bickerton, D. 2004. Foreboding.
- Bickerton, D. 2004. Through Their Eyes.
2003
- Bickerton, D. 2003. Dreaming.
Teaching
Undergraduate Teaching:
- I supervise final-year Composition portfolio projects
- Challenging Tradition: Counterpoint from Bartók to Bärtsch
- Orchestration
Postgraduate Teaching:
- I supervise MA Composition portfolio modules and Thesis
- Music Leadership and Public Engagement
- I contribute to specialist classes in the Teaching Music module
Postgraduate Research:
- I act as an assessor for PGR annual reviews as well as a PhD Examiner
- I am currently secondary supervisor for two PhD candidates - Composition | Music Education
Composer in Focus:
- I directed the 'composer in focus' series of workshops and concerts from 2013-16. Previous projects included:
- 2013: Britten Centenary Celebration (feat. The Cardon Ensemble)
- 2014: The Triumph of Time? Responses to Birtwistle at 80
- 2015: La Monte Young at 80
- 2016: Reich at 80
Current projects include composition and education initatives with UNICAMP Universidade Estadual de Campinas (São Paulo) and Jagiellonian University (Kraków), new music for US Baroque String Duo, Sophie Geneviève (vln.) and Ryan Lowe (vcl.), on a collection of pieces that celebrate the Kuhnau ‘300th anniversary’ (2022), and for the CASSGB Clarinet Convention (2023). Recent projects include a performance at the Penarth Music Festival (2021), being part of the Welsh Government working group for MusicHE, the 'lockdown' BBC NOW/Tŷ Cerdd CoDI 'one2one' scheme (2020), orchestral music for OFA Modulo (2018-2020) and a new work for the music festival Druskomanija (2019) performed by the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. During the pandemic I was invited to participate in a Music Mark conference presentation entitled 'Breaking Down Barriers to Online Music-Making' (2020). I was delighted that my piece 'Even though it's breaking, imagine' for alto saxophone and piano was performed at the Craxton Studios, London, by winner Daniel Davis at the most recent CASSGB Young Saxophone Soloist Competition.
Supervision
I am interesting in supervising PhD students in the areas of:
- Composition (Music)
- Music Leadership
I am currently second supervisor for Jonathan Brown - a thesis that brings together concepts from Film Musicology and Music Theory to trace the genealogy of Lydian sonorities in Hollywood film music since the 1930s.
Past projects
I am an examiner for PhD in Music Composition. I mentor PGR Graduate Tutors and act as an annual reviewer for researchers on the PhD in Music Composition pathway.
