We start with the success story that is the Double Bass section!!

Since the very beginning, Sinfonia Cymru has been remarkably lucky in having attracted some very fine bass players. If I had ever needed confirmation of that fact [which, by the way, I didn’t !] it can now be measured quite tangibly by seeing where some of them are now.

Michael Francis, our first ever Principal Double Bass, is with the London Symphony Orchestra. Mike also came back to lead the section in the 10th Anniversary concert something he was determined to do to express his thanks for what, he felt, we had done for him as a young musician.

Helen Morgan [affectionately known to one and all as “Wheels”, who also led the section on many, many occasions is with the RTE Symphony Orchestra in Dublin.

One of our more recent leaders, Benn Cunningham, has just joined the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, whilst Alix Scott, who played with us most memorably in the Vale of Glamorgan Festival Concert in 2003, could be seen recently on BBC from the Proms with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle.
In addition Claire Whitson, Lowri Morgan and Georgina Poad are all on trial with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

Gareth Jones
Musical Director

“STOP PRESS……….Georgina Poad has just been offered the position of No. 4 Double Bass at the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam Congratulations Georgina from everyone at Sinfonia Cymru!”

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Sinfonia Cymru’s brass section has produced some very fine players during its first ten years.  Among them is the trumpeter, Jamie Prophet, who recently appeared as trumpet soloist in Shostakovich’s Concerto for Piano, Trumpet and Strings along with Llyr Williams in the March series.

Jamie played regularly with Sinfonia Cymru from 1999 to 2003 and has already performed the Hummel Concerto and Copland’s Quiet City with the Orchestra.   In November 2006, aged 26, Jamie was appointed Principal Trumpet of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, having already held the position of Co-Principal Trumpet for three years.

I have abiding memories of his wonderful playing for Sinfonia Cymru, in particular Mahler’s Fifth Symphony, Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony and Handel’s Messiah.  He has remained in touch with the orchestra, which he feels was hugely important in his orchestral development.

Several other players who are working regularly with major orchestras include our Principal Horn, Patrick Broderick, currently on trial for Third Horn with Opera North in addition to trombonists Edward Jones and Robb Tooley, who are appearing frequently with the major London orchestras.  Trumpeter Rob Johnston has become almost a permanent fixture in the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera, whilst another trumpeter, Simon Cox, has been accepted to attend the Gustav Mahler Jugend Orchester, Europe’s premier youth orchestra.

Gareth Jones
Musical Director