About Callum
Callum Rookes is a British conductor, musician, and creative director whose career spans elite conservatoire training, international performance, state ceremonial work, and an increasingly prominent conducting profile across the UK, Europe, and the United States.
An alumnus of Trinity College of Music, the Royal Academy of Music Aarhus, and the Royal Danish Academy of Music, Callum received a rigorous and broad musical education. His early development was shaped by his first tuba teacher, leading to his appointment as Principal Tuba of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. He went on to study at Trinity under Ashley (George) Wall of the Royal Opera House and internationally renowned jazz tubist Oren Marshall.
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While at Trinity, Callum established himself as a leading young performer. He was a semi-finalist in the prestigious Gold Medal competition, became Principal Tuba of the World Youth Orchestra, and appeared at Lincoln Center as Principal Tuba with the Birmingham Symphonic Winds. Immersing himself in the musical life of London, he regularly sat in with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to deepen his understanding of the orchestral repertoire.
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Seeking further artistic growth, Callum was accepted to both the Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt Weimar and the Royal Academy of Music Aarhus, choosing the latter before pursuing a master’s degree at the Royal Danish Academy of Music under international tuba soloist Jens-Björn Larsen.
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During his time in Denmark, Callum performed professionally with leading ensembles including the Aarhus Symphony Orchestra, Aalborg Symphony Orchestra, Prinsens Musikkorps, and Randers Kammerorkester. He appeared as a soloist at the RAMA International Music Festival in Aarhus Symphony Hall, performed with the Remus Symphony Orchestra in Hamburg, and was invited to perform the Vaughan Williams Tuba Concerto at the Guildhall in Cambridge.
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Callum’s return to the UK marked the beginning of a distinguished ceremonial and military music career. He joined the Band of the Coldstream Guards, performing globally from Japan to United Nations operations in Cyprus, and appearing regularly at state ceremonial occasions. In 2017, he placed third in the Household Division Musician of the Year competition. In 2021, he transferred to the Central Band of the Royal Air Force, participating in landmark national events including the Royal Edinburgh Tattoo, State Opening of Parliament, the Platinum Jubilee, and the Coronation of King Charles III, alongside frequent media appearances with the BBC.
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His broadcast and live performance career includes appearances on The Andrew Marr Show, the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph, and Trooping the Colour. In 2022, Callum was deeply honoured to perform at the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II—an event watched by an estimated four billion people worldwide.
Now established as a professional conductor, Callum made his American conducting debut with the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra, and has since guest-conducted the San Francisco Philharmonic Orchestra and the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Wind Ensemble. In the UK, he has conducted ensembles including the Birmingham Symphonic Winds, Brent Symphony Orchestra, The Brass Foundry, the Band of the Coldstream Guards, and the Central Band of the Royal Air Force.
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Callum has studied conducting with leading international clinicians including Donald Schleicher, Mark Heron, Diane Wittry, Bjørn Sagstad, Colonel Jason Fettig (ret.), and Professor Michael Haithcock. He became Musical Director of the London Video Game Orchestra for its 2024 season, leading sell-out performances and helping to define the genre in the UK. He has also served as Musical Director of Thame Concert Band and previously held leadership roles with Aylesbury Concert Band, Enfield Film Orchestra, London People’s Orchestra, and ensembles across the UK and Denmark.
In 2024, Callum was appointed Graduate Teaching Assistant at the Peck School of the Arts, where he undertook graduate conducting studies under Dr Thomas Gamboa. Alongside this role, he became Musical and Creative Director of his new orchestral venture, Project//Symphonic.
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In 2026, Callum will launch Scottish Video Game Orchestra, expanding his work at the intersection of orchestral performance and contemporary media.
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A full CV is available on request.
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Callum is available for conducting engagements, masterclasses, private lessons, and professional performance work. Whatever the project, he is always happy to start the conversation.