UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 23 MAY
Honorary Fellow and alumnus Mike Stevens, who is Musical Director for Take That, took advantage of the iconic band’s Utilita residency in Birmingham to pay a visit to Principal Stephen Maddock.
This week, RBC Principal Stephen Maddock met with Honorary Fellow and RBC alumnus Mike Stevens who is Musical Director for one of Britain’s most iconic and loved bands, Take That.
Mike was in Birmingham for Take That’s week-long residency at the Utilita Arena and took advantage of his proximity to drop in on for a chat on Monday 20 May, the last concert of the Birmingham dates.
Mike studied composition and conducting at the Birmingham School of Music, RBC’s predecessor institution, from 1975-1979. After graduating, he performed on cruise ships and then moved to London where he became a successful saxophonist.
US record company, RCA Records, signed Mike and he toured with the likes of Barry White, Dionne Warwick and The Temptations throughout the 1980s. He also toured with Bill Withers and eventually became his Musical Director.
In 1992, he was hired to work with newly-formed pop group Take That and became their Musical Director the following year.
Stephen said: “It was good to catch-up with Mike. We talked about the changing nature of the music industry, the complications involved in post-Brexit international touring, which I have experienced first-hand at the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO). We also talked about the advances in music technology for performances.
“Mike talked about the nature of the Birmingham School of Music when he studied there, and how the new RBC building helps our students and staff. We hope to plan a future project for him to work with our students.”