Maestro José Aparicio
José Aparicio began studying music with his father at the age five, continuing his flute studies at Alicante’s Music Conservatoire where he graduated in 1995 having won the graduation competition and the Sociedad de Conciertos de Alicante Prize. He then played as a soloist with orchestras for a year and in 1996 became principal flute of the Orquesta Sinfónica de Alicante and Orquesta de Camara Ciudad de Elche, touring with them both extensively.
In 1998 he moved to London to study postgraduate flute, conducting and singing at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he graduated in 2004, and won second prize in the prestigious Gold Medal competition. During his years of study at the Guildhall, José worked with conductors such as Sir Colin Davis, M. Rostropovich, Charles Dutoit, V. Ashkenazy, Leonard Slatkin, Bernard Haitink, Michael Tilson Thomas, and many more. José then performed regularly in the UK, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain and France.
In 2009, following the birth of his daughter, José emigrated to New Zealand. He is currently Artistic Director of the Napier Civic Choir. He also regularly conducts the Hawke’s Bay Orchestra and has directed and conducted the last four productions of Festival Opera in Napier, most recently Carmen in February 2017. He has also conducted the St Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra and the New Zealand Doctors’ Orchestra. His understanding and knowledge of repertoire is extensive, his perspective one of both performer and director, feeling equally at home with Opera, Choral and Symphonic repertoire.
José’s teaching portfolio currently includes singing and flute students at a wide range of levels, and conducting choirs at Iona College and Woodford House in Havelock North, and Hastings Boys High School in Hastings. In addition, José tutors young singers taking part in Project Prima Volta.
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