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50-word bio
Matthew Roughley is a conductor, vocal arranger and youth music specialist championing choral music in collaboration with leading arts organisations. He is the Director of the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir and Hallé Youth Training Choir, Conductor with the National Youth Choir 9-15 and Artistic Director of Manchester Vocal Ensemble.
400-word bio
Matthew Roughley is a nationally renowned conductor, vocal arranger and youth music specialist based in the North West of England. Known for his engaging choral leadership style, joyful musicality, and inclusive approach Matthew manages a prominent portfolio of several of the UK’s most respected arts institutions and is committed to creating high-quality, inclusive pathways for young singers.
Matthew’s musical ethos grew from his own formative experiences within the youth music services of Greater Manchester. Discovering the transformative nature of ensemble singing inspired a lifelong commitment to building supportive, high-quality pathways for young musicians. Today, he holds some of the most respected youth choral directing posts in the country, serving as the Director of the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir and as Conductor of the National Youth Choir (9-15).
His contribution to the cultural landscape of the North West is further reflected in his role as an Associate Artist with The Hallé, where he serves as Director of the Hallé Youth Training Choir. Additionally, Matthew directs the Chamber Choir and Consort of Voices at the Pendleton School of Theatre in Salford. With a firm belief that excellent music-making should be open to all, he also founded Sale Youth Choirs in 2021, establishing a thriving, non-auditioned community singing space for young people.
Beyond his reputation as a youth music specialist, Matthew has proven himself as an innovative Artistic Director and vocal arranger. As the founder and Artistic Director of Manchester Vocal Ensemble, he has established a flagship collective for North West vocalists, dedicated to performing original, a cappella arrangements of contemporary music. His versatile musical background - from classical, to pop and jazz - allows him to craft distinctive vocal textures that are both accessible and technically demanding.
Matthew’s work has taken him to the UK’s most iconic venues, including regular appearances at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, the AO Arena, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and the BBC Proms. Notably, his youth ensembles have recorded for the Britten-Pears Friday Afternoons commission series, reflecting his ability to deliver studio excellence alongside live performances.
Owing much of his early development as a conductor to the national choral charity Sing for Pleasure - where he was awarded the Young Conducting Scholarship in 2015 - Matthew has since joined their tutor team, training and mentoring the choral leaders of tomorrow.
Whether commissioning new work, shaping young voices, or directing professional ensembles, Matthew continues to champion the North West as a centre for choral excellence with warmth, expertise, and quiet dedication.
200-word bio
Matthew Roughley is a nationally renowned conductor, vocal arranger and youth music specialist based in the North West of England. Known for his engaging choral leadership style, Matthew manages a prominent portfolio of several of the UK’s most respected arts institutions and is committed to creating high-quality, inclusive pathways for young singers.
He currently serves as Director of the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir, conductor of the National Youth Choir (9-15) and is an Associate Artist with The Hallé as well as Director of the Hallé Youth Training Choir. Influenced by a particular interest in contemporary vocal textures, Matthew is also the founder and Artistic Director of Manchester Vocal Ensemble, a collective of professional musicians specialising in original, a cappella arrangements.
Matthew’s performances span prestigious stages from the Bridgewater Hall to the Royal Albert Hall. Alongside his conducting schedule, he is a passionate advocate for the future of the craft, training the next generation of choral leaders as a conducting tutor for the national choral charity Sing for Pleasure. Grounded in classical tradition but heavily influenced by contemporary sounds, Matthew’s work seamlessly connects educational empowerment with high-level artistic performance.