Riley

Court-Wood

Conductor

Riley Court-Wood

Conductor

Biography

Riley Court-Wood is currently the Leverhulme Conducting Fellow at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

During his appointment, he has assisted and conducted the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, as well as Scottish Opera and the Hebrides ensemble.

His assistantships have included working with Sir Donald Runnicles, Ryan Wiggelsworth, Ilan Volkov, Gemma New and Martyn Brabbins.

In October 2024 he was awarded the 2nd prize and audience prize at the Tokyo Conducting Competition.

Upcoming projects include a return to Japan to conduct the NHK Symphony Orchestra, and his debut with the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin as part of their ‘Rising Star’ series.

Riley worked as a freelance violinist in London following his studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, before commencing his post graduate degree in conducting at the Royal Northern College of Music in 2019.

After graduating from the RNCM in 2021, Riley was engaged as resident conductor for the Muscat Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in Oman.

Riley is represented by Keynote Artist Management.

 
 

Following an intense and rewarding two-day audition process, involving ten highly talented young conductors, Riley Court-Wood emerged as the next Leverhulme RCS Conducting Fellow. His gracious music-making, warm personality and adaptability set him apart from the other candidates.’ – Martyn Brabbins

 
‘Riley is a naturally gifted and intuitive musician…. He shows a natural, relaxed authority with the orchestra and achieves more than most through the freedom and flexibility he has developed through his conducting technique’ – Colin Metters
 
 
Leverhulme Conducting Fellow Riley Court-Wood encouraged excellent symphonic playing from his medium-sized orchestra, a vividly crisp overture heralding a performance of elegance and nuance, in perfect balance with the five singers… 
Bachtrack review for the RCS production of  ‘Linfidelta Delusa’ (2025 – 4 stars)