PROMUSICA, the organisation behind the Canberra International Music Festival, has chosen Belgian-born Song Company leader, Roland Peelman, to replace Christopher Latham as the festival’s artistic director from 2015 to 2017. 

Peelman  is already well known to regular festival attendees as the most prominent  conductor and musician, especially in the most recent festival.

Born and raised in Belgium, Peelman has lived in Australia since 1984. A brilliant pianist, he has worked in Australia, Europe and Asia as conductor or music director for many organisations including Opera Australia, Australian Chamber Orchestra and He has been honoured with  the NSW Award for “the most outstanding contribution to Australian Music by an individual” and named “musician of the year” by the “Sydney Morning Herald’s” music critic in 2006. The following year, he was again featured as one of Sydney’s top 20 musicians and, most recently, he was listed in “The 100 Most Influential People in Sydney” published by “The Sydney Magazine” at the end of 2009.

He has worked with most orchestras in Australia and has conducted new work with ensembles such as Sydney Alpha, Libra and Ictus (Belgium-Germany) and most regularly with Australia’s leading new music group Ensemble Offspring.

In Canberra, he is also well-known for supporting use of the Fitter’s Workshop in Kingston as a music venue.

Peelman has already commenced work on the  program for 2015 he will formally take up the position from July 1 next year.