New vice principal appointed at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

Birmingham Royal Conservatoire has appointed a new vice principal.

Dr Shirley Thompson has previously held the role of director of postgraduate studies and replaces Paul Bambrough, who held the post since 2014 before becoming principal of The Purcell School for Young Musicians.

Dr Thompson has an international reputation as a specialist in French baroque music and originally joined the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2001.

She said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed to the role.

“I’m really excited about working in this new capacity in an institution I love, alongside such wonderful colleagues and students.”

Since gaining her PhD from the University of Hull in 1998, Dr Thompson has prepared numerous editions of Marc-Antoine
Charpentier’s French baroque music for performers including Emma Kirkby, Ex Cathedra and the St James’ Baroque Players, including music for two BBC Proms.

Professor Julian Lloyd Webber, principal of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, said: “Dr Thompson was the outstanding candidate in an extremely competitive field.

“Shirley’s unique expertise will prove vital to Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and I really look forward to working alongside her as we continue to expand our offering to students worldwide.”