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Dr Daniel Bickerton
NTF MMus PhD PGD LMusTCL FTCL
- Media commentator
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Teams and roles for Daniel Bickerton
Deputy Head of School
Overview
I am a Reader in Music and Director of Recruitment and Admissions at the School of Music.
As a National Teaching Fellow I am passionate about inclusive learning and teaching practices, creative leadership, inspiring students to think creatively and analytically about their music-making, and champion the potential of interdisciplinary collaboration across the Arts and Humanities.
I am a peer reviewer for Music Quality Enhancement in HE and travelled widely to disseminate good practice in curriculum and assessment design. I have significant international teaching experience, including most recently at the State University of Campinas, Universities of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and New Hampshire, and the Institute of Musicology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków. My next visit will be to the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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. My teachers include Arlene Sierra, Stephen Montague and Judith Weir.
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 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.
I love working at Cardiff University. Previously I have served as Associate Dean for Cross-College Academic Programmes and Initiatives in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (which included heading up the unique Joint College between Cardiff University and Beijing Normal University from 2023-24), Director of Learning and Teaching for the School of Music, and chaired the Expressive Arts Committee for the Widening Participation Network's Step Up programme, designing and implementing its innovative programme.
Publication
2022
- Bickerton, D. 2022. Challenging tradition: Transforming assessment in higher education music. Presented at: MusicHE Annual Conference Online 3 May 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. Confremant Saecula Studentum, Evans (1909) arr. Bickerton (2022).
- Bickerton, D. 2022. Consolation: for soprano saxophone and piano.
- Bickerton, D. 2022. Fogbow for two pianos.
- 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. Together again: for orchestra.
- Bickerton, D. 2022. Weather By Funk II (2022) for big band.
2021
- Bickerton, D. 2021. Into the rare: for two clarinets.
- 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.
2020
- Bickerton, D. 2020. As Alive As Ever.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. Breaker of Stones.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. Breaking down barriers to online music-making. Presented at: Music Mark Annual Conference Online 22 October 2020.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. Call me to you: for solo oboe.
- 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. Roots.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. We will dance again.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. What heights of love: for violin and piano.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. Wild Water.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. Wires Crossed.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. Yearning.
2019
- Bickerton, D. 2019. By Gosh, By Golly. Daniel Bickerton.
- Bickerton, D. 2019. nighTrain.
- Bickerton, D. 2019. Smile.
2018
- Bickerton, D. 2018. Assessment and feedback challenges in music. Presented at: Assessment Challenges and Challenging Assessment Cardiff, UK 24 September 2018.
- Bickerton, D. 2018. Flypast.
- Bickerton, D. 2018. Learn Plus: Advantages in formative assessments. Presented at: Cardiff University Education Innovation Week Cardiff, UK 23 January 2018.
- Bickerton, D. 2018. Simmer down.
- 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. 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.
2017
- Bickerton, D. 2017. Mad About ThaT.
- Bickerton, D. 2017. Sea of Stone [Tyne Cot Sketches: II]. Bickerton.
- Bickerton, D. 2017. The pitch within.
- Bickerton, D. and Allen, P. 2017. Cardiff - Capital city of Wales. Cardiff: Cardiff University. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqicqIMGGpI.
2016
2015
- Bickerton, D. 2015. Ballad.
- Bickerton, D. 2015. Eclipse.
- Bickerton, D. 2015. Invictus.
- Bickerton, D. 2015. Textbook.
- Bickerton, D. 2015. Two mourning angels [Tyne Cot Sketches: I].
- Bickerton, D. 2015. Weather By Funk.
2014
- Bickerton, D. 2014. Evening Dew.
- Bickerton, D. 2014. Inward Thinking.
- Bickerton, D. 2014. Let's Do It Again.
- Bickerton, D. 2014. Redux Shone Through Time.
- Bickerton, D. 2014. The Cause.
2013
- Bickerton, D. 2013. Caution.
- Bickerton, D. 2013. Firmly Grounded.
- Bickerton, D. 2013. Stand Up.
- Bickerton, D. 2013. The Panther of Lugash.
- Bickerton, D. 2013. Unintentional Art of Glass.
2012
- Bickerton, D. 2012. Blaenwern.
- Bickerton, D. 2012. Garuda.
- Bickerton, D. 2012. Save Our Chariots.
- Bickerton, D. 2012. Three Children's pieces.
2011
- Bickerton, D. 2011. Delivered.
- Bickerton, D. 2011. Ecclesiastical musings.
- Bickerton, D. 2011. Equation.
- Bickerton, D. 2011. This Masquerade.
2010
- Bickerton, D. 2010. The meaning of Alex.
- Bickerton, D. 2010. When The Stakes Are High.
- Bickerton, D. 2010. Whimsical.
2009
- Bickerton, D. 2009. Epiphany.
- Bickerton, D. 2009. Lunarscape.
- Bickerton, D. 2009. Nocturne.
2008
2007
- Bickerton, D. 2007. An Oracle of Earthly and Divine Authority.
- Bickerton, D. 2007. Apokaluptein.
- Bickerton, D. 2007. For a Moment.
- Bickerton, D. 2007. Medusa, Vallejo.
- Bickerton, D. 2007. On The Edge.
- Bickerton, D. 2007. Phoenix.
- Bickerton, D. 2007. Prayer.
- Bickerton, D. 2007. States of Mind.
2006
- Bickerton, D. 2006. Etifeddiaeth.
- Bickerton, D. 2006. Fanfare for Gwent.
- 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.
Book sections
- 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.
Compositions
- Bickerton, D. 2008. A Suite of Eastern Expression.
- Bickerton, D. 2007. An Oracle of Earthly and Divine Authority.
- Bickerton, D. 2007. Apokaluptein.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. As Alive As Ever.
- Bickerton, D. 2015. Ballad.
- Bickerton, D. 2012. Blaenwern.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. Breaker of Stones.
- Bickerton, D. 2019. By Gosh, By Golly. Daniel Bickerton.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. Call me to you: for solo oboe.
- Bickerton, D. 2013. Caution.
- Bickerton, D. 2022. Confremant Saecula Studentum, Evans (1909) arr. Bickerton (2022).
- Bickerton, D. 2016. #CONNECT.
- Bickerton, D. 2022. Consolation: for soprano saxophone and piano.
- Bickerton, D. 2011. Delivered.
- Bickerton, D. 2003. Dreaming.
- Bickerton, D. 2011. Ecclesiastical musings.
- Bickerton, D. 2015. Eclipse.
- Bickerton, D. 2009. Epiphany.
- Bickerton, D. 2011. Equation.
- Bickerton, D. 2006. Etifeddiaeth.
- Bickerton, D. 2016. Even though it's breaking, imagine!.
- Bickerton, D. 2014. Evening Dew.
- Bickerton, D. 2006. Fanfare for Gwent.
- Bickerton, D. 2013. Firmly Grounded.
- Bickerton, D. 2018. Flypast.
- Bickerton, D. 2022. Fogbow for two pianos.
- Bickerton, D. 2007. For a Moment.
- Bickerton, D. 2004. Foreboding.
- Bickerton, D. 2012. Garuda.
- Bickerton, D. 2005. Genesis.
- Bickerton, D. 2021. Into the rare: for two clarinets.
- Bickerton, D. 2015. Invictus.
- Bickerton, D. 2014. Inward Thinking.
- Bickerton, D. 2014. Let's Do It Again.
- Bickerton, D. 2009. Lunarscape.
- Bickerton, D. 2017. Mad About ThaT.
- Bickerton, D. 2007. Medusa, Vallejo.
- Bickerton, D. 2019. nighTrain.
- Bickerton, D. 2009. Nocturne.
- Bickerton, D. 2006. Ocean Sketch.
- Bickerton, D. 2007. On The Edge.
- Bickerton, D. 2007. Phoenix.
- Bickerton, D. 2007. Prayer.
- Bickerton, D. 2014. Redux Shone Through Time.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. Roots.
- Bickerton, D. 2012. Save Our Chariots.
- Bickerton, D. 2017. Sea of Stone [Tyne Cot Sketches: II]. Bickerton.
- Bickerton, D. 2018. Simmer down.
- Bickerton, D. 2021. Sinuous grace: for solo piano.
- Bickerton, D. 2019. Smile.
- Bickerton, D. 2013. Stand Up.
- Bickerton, D. 2007. States of Mind.
- Bickerton, D. 2015. Textbook.
- Bickerton, D. 2014. The Cause.
- Bickerton, D. 2008. The Court Jester.
- Bickerton, D. 2010. The meaning of Alex.
- Bickerton, D. 2013. The Panther of Lugash.
- Bickerton, D. 2017. The pitch within.
- Bickerton, D. 2021. "the women danced but the king was afraid" (2021) for baroque violin and cello.
- Bickerton, D. 2011. This Masquerade.
- Bickerton, D. 2012. Three Children's pieces.
- Bickerton, D. 2004. Through Their Eyes.
- Bickerton, D. 2022. Together again: for orchestra.
- Bickerton, D. 2015. Two mourning angels [Tyne Cot Sketches: I].
- Bickerton, D. 2013. Unintentional Art of Glass.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. We will dance again.
- Bickerton, D. 2015. Weather By Funk.
- Bickerton, D. 2022. Weather By Funk II (2022) for big band.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. What heights of love: for violin and piano.
- Bickerton, D. 2010. When The Stakes Are High.
- Bickerton, D. 2010. Whimsical.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. Wild Water.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. Wires Crossed.
- Bickerton, D. 2005. Woodpeckers.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. Yearning.
Conferences
- Bickerton, D. 2018. Assessment and feedback challenges in music. Presented at: Assessment Challenges and Challenging Assessment Cardiff, UK 24 September 2018.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. Breaking down barriers to online music-making. Presented at: Music Mark Annual Conference Online 22 October 2020.
- Bickerton, D. 2022. Challenging tradition: Transforming assessment in higher education music. Presented at: MusicHE Annual Conference Online 3 May 2022.
- Bickerton, D. 2022. Composing music in Wales: Sound and style. Presented at: International Lecture Jagiellonian University, Krakòw, Poland 14 June 2022.
- 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. 2018. Learn Plus: Advantages in formative assessments. Presented at: Cardiff University Education Innovation Week Cardiff, UK 23 January 2018.
- Bickerton, D. 2022. Nothing new here! Composing with counterpoint: Challenge and freedom. Presented at: International Lecture Jagiellonian University, Krakòw, Poland 13 June 2022.
Videos
- 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. and Allen, P. 2017. Cardiff - Capital city of Wales. Cardiff: Cardiff University. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqicqIMGGpI.
Research
I am on sabbatical from the School of Music until August 2024.
Current projects include:
- Teaching mobility placements to USA (March 2024), Brazil (April 2024) and Slovenia (June 2024);
- A new composition for the Riot Ensemble (April 2024);
- Development of an inclusive 'Study Day' for GCSE and AS/A-Level music students (April 4, 2024), hosted at the School of Music;
- International HE Liberal Arts Teaching & Scholarship Symposium (July 2024).
Recent projects included:
- Composition and education initiatives with University of New Hampshire (USA), Jagiellonian University (Kraków), and hosting the International Clarinet Convention (2023);
- A new two-piano composition for Catherine Milledge and Roger Owens, Fogbow (2023);
- Contributing to the Higher Education working group for the National Plan for Music Education government policy (Wales);
- Comissioned by the Clarinet and Saxophone Society of Great Britain, a new composition for soprano saxophone and piano, Consolation (2022), premiered at the Royal College of Music, London (2022);
- Presenting a paper on 'Transforming Assessment in Higher Education' at the MusicHE conference (2022);
- Participation in a Music Mark conference presentation, 'Breaking Down Barriers to Online Music-Making' (2020);
- Comissioned to write a new piece for 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;
- A co-authored publication for London: Bloomsbury (2018), 'Playing together: What can academics in higher education learn from musicians about creative leadership and collaboration?' (In: Gornall, Lynne, Thomas, Brychan and Sweetman, Lucy eds. Exploring Consensual Leadership in Higher Education, pp. 243-262.).
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
Biography
Education and qualifications
- 2024: NTF National Teaching Fellow (Advance HE)
- 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
- National Teaching Fellow (2024)
- 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 - 2021)
- 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, for professional recognition of Teaching and Scholarship
Academic positions
- 2024 - present: Director of Recruitment and Admissions | Cardiff University School of Music
- 2023 - present: Reader in Music | Cardiff University
- 2023 - 2024: Associate Dean for Cross-College Programmes and Initiatives | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
- 2020 - 2024: Director of Learning and Teaching | Cardiff University School of Music (including Digital Education Lead)
- 2020 - 2023: Senior Lecturer in Music | Cardiff University
- 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 in Music | Cardiff University
- 2013 - 2014: Lecturer in Music and Ideology | Leeds College of Music
- 2009 - 2014: Associate Lecturer | Cardiff University School of Music
Committees and reviewing
- Co-Chair, Programme and Partner Standing Panel | ASQC (2021 - present)
- Chair, Learning and Teaching Committee | MUSIC (2020 - 2024)
- Member, School Management Board | MUSIC (2019 - present)
- Member, Programme and Partner Standing Panel | ASQC (2019 - present)
- Member, AHSS College Academic Education Network | CAEN (2019 - 2020)
- Chair, Expressive Arts | Education and Outreach Network (2019 - 2020)
- Lead Mentor | MUSIC - Guizhou Exchange Programme (2018 - 2020)
- 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 - 2024)
- Assessment and Feedback Lead | MUSIC (2015 - 2019)
- Examinations Convenor | MUSIC (2015 - 2018)
- Personal Tutor (2014 - present)
- Member, Staff Student Panel | MUSIC (2014 - 2024)
- 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)
Supervisions
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.
Contact Details
[email protected]
+44 29208 70405
33-37 Corbett Road, Room 0.18, 37 Corbett Rd., Cathays, Cardiff, CF10 3EB
+44 29208 70405
33-37 Corbett Road, Room 0.18, 37 Corbett Rd., Cathays, Cardiff, CF10 3EB
