Young Shropshire conductor Ben Gernon makes his BBC Proms debut at 25
An up-and-coming young conductor from Shropshire has made his BBC Proms debut.
Ben Gernon, 25, led the Scottish Chamber Orchestra on the 70th prom of this year's event at London's Royal Albert Hall last night.
The concert celebrated the 80th birthday of Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, a leading figure in contemporary British music.
Ben is originally from Essex but moved to Newport with his family when he was young.
He got into music at the age of about seven when his dad, who conducted a brass band in Newport, was missing a tuba and Ben stepped up.
His love of music flourished at Adams' Grammar School, and he started conducting, working with the school orchestra from the age of 15.
Ben then studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he said he learned "so much" from Sian Edwards and Sir Colin Davis.
Earlier this year, when it was announced he would perform at the BBC Proms, Ben said: "I never expected this. It is a great privilege.
"This is something I want to do forever and it's a big step in my career."
He added: "It is a bit daunting and the pressure will be on but I am really looking forward to it."
He says one of the biggest highlights of his career so far was conducting Sir Peter's music at the St Magnus Festival in Orkney in 2011.
Ben has spent most of this year in Los Angeles as part of his involvement with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, where he works alongside famous conductor and violinist Gustavo Dudamel.
Last year BBC Music Magazine featured him as its rising star of the future.
His Proms appearance was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and will be shown on BBC Four on Thursday at 7.30pm.
The conductor is due to tour in Scotland from Thursday until Sunday.
