Meet the new General Manager of Stoller Hall
Two months into his appointment as General Manager of Stoller Hall, we sit down with Phil Boughton to hear about his journey so far, what drew him to the role, and his ambitions for one of Manchester’s most distinctive performance venues. With a background spanning some of the UK’s leading music institutions, he brings a wealth of experience and a clear vision for Stoller Hall’s future.
Where did you work before joining Stoller Hall?
Whilst doing my postgraduate study as a trombonist at the Royal College of Music, I realised I wanted more out of a career in music. For me, turning up when asked and playing what someone else wanted me to — in a style decided by someone else — was not going to be truly rewarding.
From an early age, I had been involved behind the scenes in putting on events. I realised that I got as much enjoyment from making things happen as I did from performing. That was pivotal in pushing me towards the management side of the arts. Following roles at the Royal College of Music, Royal Academy of Music, Royal Albert Hall and BBC Proms, I spent ten years as Orchestra Manager at Welsh National Opera.
In 2014, I moved to Opera North to become Director of Orchestra and Chorus. I programmed the orchestra’s work and managed the performing elements of the company. It was the job I had dreamed of when I first decided that performing wasn’t for me.
After nearly ten years — with opera facing ever-increasing financial pressures and me wondering what the next stage of my career would be — I left Opera North to figure it out… and here I am!
What interested you in the role of General Manager?
I saw a major part of my role at both Welsh National Opera and Opera North as nurturing and encouraging the performers of the future. I did this by giving them first-hand experience of hearing and working alongside members of the orchestra and chorus.
Coming to Stoller Hall seemed the perfect combination of all aspects of my career:
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Programming – but with a far broader scope than with an orchestra
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Operational Management – ensuring the best procedures and systems are in place to make delivery seamless and straightforward
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People Management – supporting the delivery teams so they can work effectively
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Education – giving performers experience to help develop their careers, in whichever direction they choose
What have been your first impressions since starting the role?
I knew before I came that The Stoller Hall and the smaller Carole Nash Hall had amazing acoustics, but hearing them every day with such a variety of performances — spoken word, comedy, jazz, folk, classical, and vocal music — has reinforced that.
Every performer raves about how wonderful the spaces are, not just for their sound quality but also for the service they receive from our staff. There are many amazing people here delivering phenomenal work, so my job is straightforward. I just need to make it as easy as possible for them to carry on doing what they already do so well!
What challenges are you looking forward to getting stuck into?
My main aim is to raise the profile of Stoller Hall — both within the Chetham’s organisation, by showcasing the benefits of having a world-class venue as part of it, and externally through improved signage and branding.
I’m also keen to elevate our presence more psychologically, by collaborating with other venues and promoters to ensure our programme offers something for everyone across the Manchester City Region and beyond. We’re excellently located next to a key transport hub, so we need to make the most of that — look out for more commuter events coming soon!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love the outdoors — especially water — so I’m often found in, on or around rivers, lakes or the sea. Having been an outdoor pursuits instructor and white-water rafting guide, I’m often throwing myself off a waterfall in a kayak or swimming underneath it.
I’ve also been doing more running recently, having completed the London Marathon — 25 years after I first ran it — at the end of my first week in this job. More recently, I ran the Bradford 10k. That’s more out of necessity, though, as the excellent lunches here at Chetham’s School of Music will quickly start to show otherwise!
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