This noted choral and orchestral conductor began his musical studies in Manchester. There he was a chorus master and assistant conductor for the Manchester Opera Companyand led performances of Faust, Macbeth, and The Marriage of Figaro. In London, Broadbent conducted the St. Angela's Singers from 1975 until 1985. The group broadcast often on the BBC; gave concerts in London, Manchester, and Vienna; and sang in Berlioz's Les Troyens and La Damnation de Faust with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Singers & Chorus. From 1980 to 1990, Broadbent led the Esterhazy Singers, who specialized in Haydn and English composers, sang in Lambert's Rio Grande with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and gave many first performances. Under Broadbent's baton for seven years, the Enfield String Players performed major works for string orchestra, worked with leading soloists (Jack Brymer, Alfredo Campoli, Steven Isserlis, and Malcolm Messiter), and premiered several works. The internationally renowned chamber choir known as the Joyful Company of Singers was founded by Broadbent in 1988. The group was frequently broadcast on the BBC and on several European radio networks. It earned the title Choir of the World at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and won the Gran Premio Città di Arezzo. Its repetoire includes works by many contemporary composers, including Christopher Brown, John Buller, Charles Camilleri, Alun Hoddinott, Anthony Payne, Paul Reade, Kaija Saariaho, Giles Swayne, and Malcolm Williamson. Broadbent has also conducted Bach's Mass in B minor with the original instruments, a program of Lennox Berkeley's music with the London Mozart Players, a studio recording of music by Arnold Bax, a large children's choir at Albert Hall, brass and wind bands, a critically acclaimed first British performance of Max Bruch's Moses at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, and he is artistic director for the Holst Festival.