Biography

Copyright Steven Joseph Hickey 2012

Born in Liverpool, Steven took up the guitar at the early age of 5 after hearing his school teacher playing the guitar to his class. It was the same teacher, Mr Robin Surtees, who after seeing Steven’s interest in the guitar, offered to teach him the guitar once a week after school. Steven was captivated by the instrument and he and his guitar became inseparable.

Steven excelled at guitar and at by 11 he had also taken up saxophone. In 2003, Steven successfully auditioned for a place at the Junior Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) in Manchester.

In 2005, Steven was awarded a place at the world famous Chethams School of Music to further his music studies with Gordon Crosskey and Wendy Jackson. He was a member of the ‘Chethams Guitar Trio’, a guitar ensemble that would subsequently perform in many major concerts both in Chethams and other venues in Manchester, including Manchester Cathedral, the famous Manchester Guitar Circle and as the featured entertainment for the ‘Manchester Abolition of Slavery Act’ celebration concert on The Urbis. Manchester based composer Mark Houghton also dedicated a guitar trio to the CGT entitled ‘Suite Metropolis’. In his final year at ‘Chets’, Steven passed his ABRSM Performance Diploma exam with distinction.

2007 saw Steven gain a place at the RNCM with a coveted entrance award to study with Craig Ogden and Gordon Crosskey. After graduating in 2011, Steven was then awarded a John Lewis scholarship towards his Masters degree at the Royal College of Music in London, where he is currently studying. Steven also received a considerable bursary from the prestigious Countess of Munster Trust towards his studies.

Steven has performed extensively throughout the UK and abroad as both a soloist and ensemble player. Notable recent performances include Steve Reich’s Electric Counterpoint at the Future Now Festival in Manchester with the composer present; Vivaldi’s Mandolin and Lute concertos at the first ever ‘Classical Music Night’ in Sheffield; 3 world premieres at the 2010 Sounds New Festival in Canterbury and solo recitals at Manchester Guitar Circle, Hyde Town Hall, Whitworth Art Gallery and St Anne’s Church (Manchester).

As a lover of contemporary music, Steven has had the privilege of giving many world premieres of both solo and ensemble works. Composers include Duncan Ward, Yunhee Lee, Mark Houghton, Jose Lezcano (European premiere), Steve Mackey and Daniel Green.

Competition successes include: