Darren Sproston

Professor Darren Sproston is the Associate Dean (Education & Student Success) at the University of Chester's Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. He holds a Professorship in Music within the School for the Creative Industries. His roles include strategic leadership in education, financial planning, and cross-departmental collaboration. He has held previous academic leadership positions, including Director of the School of Arts and Media and Head of Performing Arts.

Education: PhD in Music (University of Sheffield, 1991-1993), MMus (1990-1991), and BMus (1987-1990), all from the University of Sheffield. Certified as a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2016) and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2005).

Research interests focus on the Anglo-Catalan composer Roberto Gerhard, Stravinsky, serialism, analytical methodologies, and minimalism. He has composed numerous works performed internationally and published extensively on Gerhard’s symphonies and compositional techniques. His research also explores music and multimedia, film music, and twentieth-century performance practices.

Awards include recognition for his contributions to higher education pedagogy. He has supervised six postgraduate research students and examined multiple PhD candidates. Professional activities include peer reviewing for journals like Music Analysis and Organised Sound, media interviews on Christmas music and compositional trends, and committee roles in academic governance.

Teaching spans undergraduate and postgraduate levels, covering composition, musicology, and analytical techniques. His work bridges classical and popular music studies, with a commitment to innovative educational strategies.