Summer 2016 was an eventful one for Robert Howard.

His 2015 orchestral work Cortege, dedicated to David Kernick, was rehearsed in a workshop session by the 70-strong Uppingham Summer School Orchestra in Rutland, East Midlands, last August. The run-through was ably led by professional conductor Wyn Davies, Director of Music at New Zealand Opera.

Also in August, Robert conducted the Phoenix Concert Orchestra on a tour of the Vendée department of France, in two concerts of light music and selections from films and musicals. The first concert was outdoors in the artisan village of Sallertaine, as part of the Nocturnes Festival (pictured), while the second was at the Le Dix theatre in Nantes. Rob was joined by fellow conductor Jill Hyde, and both performances were well attended and enthusiastically received.