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Conductors

Michael Seal

Associate Conductor
Headshot: Michael Seal

Michael Seal is the Associate Conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO), a unique appointment which recognises his work as Assistant Conductor, and the special relationship he has built with the orchestra.

His in-depth knowledge of orchestras from an insider’s position (he was a violinist with the CBSO early in his career) gives him a unique perspective and he quickly builds rapport and trust with the orchestras he works with. His energy and enthusiasm are infectious and he has built a reputation for outstanding results, delivered with great charm and often on a typically British tight rehearsal schedule.

Seal has worked with many of the UK’s finest orchestras, frequently being invited as guest conductor with the BBC orchestras and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic orchestras, as well as the Academy of St.Martin in the Fields, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra and Ulster Orchestra.

Internationally, he has conducted the Brussels Philharmonic, Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, KBS Symphony Orchestra, Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Odense Symphony Orchestra, Joensuu City Orchestra, Orquesta Académica del Instituto Superior de Arte del Teatro Colón, Orquesta Filarmónica de Buenos Aires, Trondheim Symphony Orchestra and both RTÉ Concert and National Symphony Orchestras.

Seal has a special bond with the CBSO Youth Orchestra, conducting them on numerous occasions, and being involved with them since their foundation.

His love of opera led to critically-acclaimed performances of Puccini’s Il Trittico at the Birmingham Conservatoire. He has also assisted both Sakari Oramo and Andris Nelsons in opera performances of Peter Grimes, Carmen, Der Rosenkavalier, Lohengrin, Tristan & Isolde and The Flying Dutchman.

Live in concert

  • CBSO Youth Orchestra: Brahms 2

  • Nielsen's Fourth Symphony

  • Satnam Rana presents Bringing the Light

  • Choral Christmas

  • CBSO Christmas Party with Stephen Mangan

  • CBSO Family Christmas

  • The Stories of Movie Music with Mark Kermode

  • Classic FM Hall of Fame

Conductor Michael Seal stands leaning against a grey pillar. He wears a black suit and dark blue collared shirt.

Meet more of our conductors

  • Photo of conductor Kazuki Yamada stood by a window, holding his baton.

    Kazuki Yamada

    Music Director
  • Conductor Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla stands in front of a dark background. She holds a white baton in her right hand and points with her left hand. She is smiling. She has medium length light brown hair, and is wearing a shite shirt.

    Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla

    Associate Artist

Further content for Michael Seal

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Photograph of Kazuki Yamada conducting the orchestra at Symphony Hall

Contact Details

(0121) 616 6500 information@cbso.co.uk

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Principal Funders

Supported using public funding by Arts Council EnglandSCC

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©2025. The CBSO is a registered charity in England (No. 506276).

Address: CBSO Centre, Berkley Street, Birmingham, B1 2LF

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