Michael Shelton is a very experienced musician of some thirty years standing. He is a performer, teacher, and examiner. He is in demand as an Adjudicator, presenter, and provider of In-Service Training to Education Authorities and Independent schools, both at home in the United Kingdom and abroad.

Michael is an ‘Honours’ Graduate of the Northern College of Music, Manchester, and has a Clarinet Diploma from the Trinity College of Music London. The Diploma in Education was gained at Leeds University. He continued post graduate studies with ‘Jack Brymer’ and at the Paris Conservatoire with ‘Guy Deplus’. Further studies include an MA in the Psychology of Performance in Music which is ongoing. He played professionally with the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra, the Halle Orchestra, the English Philharmonic Orchestra and the Manchester Camerata. Playing experience also encompassed jazz, sessions with Joe Loss, shows and cabaret. He was also band leader and worked in radio and television.

Michael was a member of both the National Executive Committee of the ‘Clarinet and Saxophone Society of Great Britain’ and a committee member of the ‘Incorporated Society of Musicians’.

He has 30 years instrumental teaching experience at all levels, and his pupils have gone on to study at the Menuin School, Cheethams, Royal College, London, Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester and have appeared on Television and Radio and as finalists in the ‘National Festival of Music for Youth’ and ‘The Young Musician of the Year’. Many of whom now study and work in the music profession.

In 1997, he joined the ‘Guildhall School of Music Examination Service’ as an examiner, and was subsequently appointed to the position of Principal Examiner of Woodwind.

More recent studies have included qualifications in Computing, leading to presentation work for the Guildhall School of Music Examinations Service, Trinity College, and many local authorities.

In January 2003 he joined the ‘Trinity College London’ as an examiner and presenter whilst continuing his membership on the Guildhall panel. In 2004 was appointed to the Rockschool panel of examiners, where he was engaged in the conduct of examinations and promotional work.

He has travelled to the following countries as an examiner, performer, adjudicator, and presenter:

New Zealand – South Africa – Jordon – Lebanon – USA – Canada – Cyprus – Spain – Ireland – Thailand – Malaysia – Hong Kong – India – Sri Lanka – West Indies – Maldives – Nagaland (North India) – Singapore – Portugal – and the United Kingdom

Michael has been appointed to the panel of adjudicators for the British and International Federation of Festivals, May 2009, is also a consultant to Trinity Guildhall Examination Board for the development of their Woodwind Syllabus 2009, and his recent appointment to the Professional Development panel of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in August 2009 and appointment as Professor of Clarinet for the Royal Air Force, reflects his determination to remain in the forefront of music education and assessment.

July 2012 Michael was re-appointed as Chairman to the Adjudicators Council of the ‘British and International Federation of Festivals for Music Dance and Speech’ for a further three years.

October 2011 Appointed as a member of the Board of Directors of the Clarinet and Saxophone Society of Great Britain, and appointed as Chairman January 7th 2013 for a period of three years.