Robert Baxter is a regular guest conductor with Scottish Ballet, conducting numerous productions across threatres in the UK, including Cinderella, Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Coppelia, The Scandal at Mayerling, Dextera, Streetcar Named Desire and Snow Queen. He made his debut conducting the RSNO when he stepped in at short notice for the composer/conductor Gavin Bryars in the British premiers of the composer’s Viola Concerto, a concert given in Glasgow Tramway. Robert has guided the RSNO through numerous film sessions, including the latest Netflix series ‘Life on our Planet’ and the sold-out ‘John Williams at the Oscars’ concerts. His work with the orchestra extends to projects such as Children Classic Concerts, school concerts in partnership with Charanga and the premiere of the animated film ‘Yoyo and the little Auk’. Beyond the RSNO, he has led the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra and served as Musical Director for diverse groups, including Colours Classical and Belle and Sebastian. Notably, he conducted a Celtic Connections BBC TV broadcast featuring the Chieftains, Kris Kristofferson, and Eddie Reader. Since graduating as a trumpet player from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Robert has performed, toured, and recorded extensively with all the professional orchestras in Scotland. Further afield he has performed with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Manchester Camerata, Singapore Symphony, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Tenerife Symphony and the New London Concert. Robert has led on hundreds of youth and community music projects, and is currently the creative lead for the RSNO’s All Together Now. Robert has been course director for NYOS Spring Academy and conducted the Gadfly Project with Dance House. In 2021 he was delighted to receive the award from Making Music for the Best Instrumental Music Director in recognition for his pioneering work involving online music making during the pandemic, which included commissioning a new work for online orchestra, composed by Peter Longworth. Robert is Artistic Director and founder of Kessington Hall, a rehearsal and performance venue in the north of Glasgow and is currently chair of the trustees of the Scottish Schools Orchestra Trust. Earlier this year he was delighted to become the Artistic Director of St Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh. This season will see Robert conduct Nutcracker with Scottish Ballet and tour to New Zealand where he will conduct A streetcar Named Desire again after the success of the company’s performances at Sadler’s Wells earlier this year. Robert has been Musical Director of the Glasgow Chamber Orchestra for the past 5 years and has enjoyed seeing the orchestra increase its membership numbers and continue to programme challenging repertoire. He develops these programmes with the committee and assists in booking soloists.