He succeeds Simon Darlow, who stepped down earlier this month after two and a half years in the role.
After studying composition at the Royal College of Music, McNeff workef in theatres and became associate director at the University of Manchester’s Contact Theatre.
He went to the Banff Centre in Canada as composer in residence writing a number of music theatre works before becoming Artistic Director of Comus Music Theatre in Toronto. There he won a Mavor Moore Award for his opera The Secret Garden.
On his return to Britain he won a Scotsman award at the Edinburgh Festival for his opera Aesop, written with long-time collaborator Charles Causley.
Last year he worked with the Welsh National Opera and his latest work, The Darkling Serenade, for the British Clarinet Ensemble, premiered in Madrid this month.
He said: ‘I’m very proud to be the new chair of BASCA and to work with such fantastic colleagues and staff. I’m looking forward to broad coalition of genres all working together.’
BASCA chief executive Vick Bain added: ‘It is my pleasure to welcome Stephen McNeff as the new Chair of BASCA. He brings with him gravitas, considered thinking and good humour. I look forward to working closely with him supporting his vision for composers and songwriters.’
After studying composition at the Royal College of Music, McNeff workef in theatres and became associate director at the University of Manchester’s Contact Theatre.
He went to the Banff Centre in Canada as composer in residence writing a number of music theatre works before becoming Artistic Director of Comus Music Theatre in Toronto. There he won a Mavor Moore Award for his opera The Secret Garden.
On his return to Britain he won a Scotsman award at the Edinburgh Festival for his opera Aesop, written with long-time collaborator Charles Causley.
Last year he worked with the Welsh National Opera and his latest work, The Darkling Serenade, for the British Clarinet Ensemble, premiered in Madrid this month.
He said: ‘I’m very proud to be the new chair of BASCA and to work with such fantastic colleagues and staff. I’m looking forward to broad coalition of genres all working together.’
BASCA chief executive Vick Bain added: ‘It is my pleasure to welcome Stephen McNeff as the new Chair of BASCA. He brings with him gravitas, considered thinking and good humour. I look forward to working closely with him supporting his vision for composers and songwriters.’