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Dr Daniel Bickerton
NTF MMus PhD PGD LMusTCL FTCL
- Media commentator
Teams and roles for Daniel Bickerton
Deputy Head of School
Overview
I am a Reader in Music and currently the Deputy Head of the School of Global Humanities with responsibility for overseeing Education and Student Experience.
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.
My association with Music Quality Enhancement has enabled me to travel widely to disseminate good practice in curriculum and assessment design - as Peer Reviewer and more recently as Secretary. 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 Wyoming.
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 & Director of Recruitment and Admissions 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
2024
- Bickerton, D. 2024. From fearing 'Orchestra Assessments' to embracing 'Assessment Orchestras'. Presented at: HE Teaching Development Conference: Exploring best practices for inclusive education London, UK 4 June 2024.
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. 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. 2018. Flypast.
- Bickerton, D. 2018. Simmer down.
- 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. and Allen, P. 2017. Cardiff - Capital city of Wales. Cardiff: Cardiff University. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqicqIMGGpI.
- Bickerton, D. 2017. Mad About ThaT.
- Bickerton, D. 2017. Sea of Stone [Tyne Cot Sketches: II]. Bickerton.
- Bickerton, D. 2017. The pitch within.
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. 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. Together again: for orchestra.
- Bickerton, D. 2022. Weather By Funk II (2022) for big band.
- 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.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. As Alive As Ever.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. Breaker of Stones.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. Call me to you: for solo oboe.
- 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.
- Bickerton, D. 2019. By Gosh, By Golly. Daniel Bickerton.
- Bickerton, D. 2019. nighTrain.
- Bickerton, D. 2019. Smile.
- Bickerton, D. 2018. Flypast.
- Bickerton, D. 2018. Simmer down.
- 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. 2016. #CONNECT.
- Bickerton, D. 2016. Even though it's breaking, imagine!.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Bickerton, D. 2012. Blaenwern.
- Bickerton, D. 2012. Garuda.
- Bickerton, D. 2012. Save Our Chariots.
- Bickerton, D. 2012. Three Children's pieces.
- Bickerton, D. 2011. Delivered.
- Bickerton, D. 2011. Ecclesiastical musings.
- Bickerton, D. 2011. Equation.
- Bickerton, D. 2011. This Masquerade.
- Bickerton, D. 2010. The meaning of Alex.
- Bickerton, D. 2010. When The Stakes Are High.
- Bickerton, D. 2010. Whimsical.
- Bickerton, D. 2009. Epiphany.
- Bickerton, D. 2009. Lunarscape.
- Bickerton, D. 2009. Nocturne.
- Bickerton, D. 2008. A Suite of Eastern Expression.
- Bickerton, D. 2008. The Court Jester.
- 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.
- Bickerton, D. 2006. Etifeddiaeth.
- Bickerton, D. 2006. Fanfare for Gwent.
- Bickerton, D. 2006. Ocean Sketch.
- Bickerton, D. 2005. Genesis.
- Bickerton, D. 2005. Woodpeckers.
- Bickerton, D. 2004. Foreboding.
- Bickerton, D. 2004. Through Their Eyes.
- Bickerton, D. 2003. Dreaming.
Conferences
- Bickerton, D. 2024. From fearing 'Orchestra Assessments' to embracing 'Assessment Orchestras'. Presented at: HE Teaching Development Conference: Exploring best practices for inclusive education London, UK 4 June 2024.
- 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. Nothing new here! Composing with counterpoint: Challenge and freedom. Presented at: International Lecture Jagiellonian University, Krakòw, Poland 13 June 2022.
- Bickerton, D. 2020. Breaking down barriers to online music-making. Presented at: Music Mark Annual Conference Online 22 October 2020.
- 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. 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.
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
Current projects:
- Leading development of a brand new BA Music degree for Cardiff University's School of Global Humanities;
- Development of an inclusive 'Study Day' for GCSE and AS/A-Level music students (April 8, 2026), hosted at the School of Music;
- Teaching mobility placement to University of Wyoming (2026) - teaching and scholarship in the digital humanities.
Recent projects:
- A new composition for the European Clarinet Congress, Salerno, Italy (2025)
- Electro-acoustic composition`projects for film (2024) and in collaboration with Diverse Manners Art Exhibition (2025);
- Teaching mobility placements to USA (March 2024), Brazil (April 2024) and Slovenia (June 2024);
- A new composition for the Riot Ensemble (April 2024);
- 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
I am a National Teaching Fellow and my work is renowned for fostering inclusive learning communities and demonstrably enhancing the student experience. I am a passionate advocate for widening participation and I was delighted to receive the award for Most Outstanding Use of Assessment as Learning (ESLA, 2025).
Undergraduate Teaching:
- Elements of Tonal Theory (currently module leader) - BMus core module
- I supervise final-year Composition portfolio projects
- Challenging Tradition: Counterpoint from Bartók to Bärtsch
- Orchestration
Postgraduate Teaching:
- Music Leadership and Public Engagement (currently module leader)
- I supervise MA Composition portfolio modules and Thesis
- Postgraduate Ensemble and Studio Techniques
- I contribute to specialist classes on the Teaching Music module
Postgraduate Research:
- Mentor, DMA candidates
- 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
- Winner: Enriching Student Life Awards | Most Outstanding Use of Assessment as Learning (2025)
- 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
- Secretary, Music Quality Enhancement (2024 - present) formerly Peer Review (2022 - 2024)
- 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
- 2026 - present: Deputy Head of School | Cardiff University School of Global Humanities
- 2025 - 2026: Deputy Head of School | Cardiff University School of Music
- 2024 - 2025: 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
- Chair; Education and Student Experience Committee | HUMAN (2026 - present)
- Member; School Leadership Board | HUMAN (2026 - present)
- Chair, Examination Boards | HUMSS (2023-24)
- Mentor and Assessor | LTA Fellowships Programmes (2021 - present)
- Co-Chair, Programme and Partner Standing Panel | ASQC (2021 - 2025)
- Chair, Learning and Teaching Committee | MUSIC (2020 - 2024)
- Member, School Management Board | MUSIC (2019 - 2026)
- Member, Programme and Partner Standing Panel | ASQC (2019 - 2025)
- 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 - 2025)
- 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.
News articles
Contact Details
[email protected]
+44 29208 70405
Music Building, Room 1.02, 31 Corbett Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF10 3EB
+44 29208 70405
Music Building, Room 1.02, 31 Corbett Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF10 3EB
Specialisms
- Leadership
- Inclusive education
- Curriculum and Pedagogy Development
- Music
- Music Composition
