Royal Forest of Dean Orchestra

Brought up in Somerset, Edward came to Birmingham to study at the Conservatoire in 2007. During his studies he had many opportunities with the major ensembles, playing a wide range of repertoire. In 2009 he was awarded a place to study in Italy with Giancarlo Parodi. During the term spent there Edward played both the Vivaldi double trumpet concerto with Sergio Luchetta and also the Torelli Trumpet concerto, accompanied by the Baroque Orchestra of Ferrara. He was a finalist in several competitions at the college, including the Corfield Trumpet Prize and the Brass Prize, he was also awarded the Post graduate certificate course prize for 2011/12.  During his postgraduate studies Edward was awarded a place on the CBSO orchestral training scheme in which he took part in a number of orchestral rehearsals.

Away from his studies, Edward was a founder member of the Thumb contemporary music ensemble, with whom he plays regularly. Edward has also played with several other ensembles in the Birmingham area, including the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra, the CBSO Youth Orchestra and the Sinfonia of Birmingham.

Elin grew up in Gloucestershire where she was actively involved in the music service, playing with many ensembles and leading the county and South West youth orchestras.  She has performed with many orchestras including the English Symphony Orchestra, Dartington Festival Orchestra, the Croft Orchestra and the Clic Sargent Symphony Orchestra in prestigious venues such as Queen Elizabeth Hall, Cadogan Hall, St John’s, Smith Square, Birmingham Symphony Hall and the Sage at Gateshead.  Her quartet has taken part in many national and international chamber music courses, and has played in concerts alongside the Carducci Quartet.  As a soloist she has appeared with the Thornbury Orchestra, the Asklepios Orchestra, Gloucester Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Concert Orchestra and the Gloucestershire Symphony Orchestra.  This is her debut with the Royal Forest of Dean Orchestra.  She is currently in her third year at the Royal College of Music, studying with Dona Lee Croft and Kathron Sturrock.  She remains grateful for the ongoing support of the North Nibley Arts Bursary.

RHIANNON SYMONDS, ATCL, TENOR TROMBONE

Rhiannon, 14, has been playing the trombone for 5 years. At the age of 11 she passed her Grade 8 with Distinction and at 12 became the youngest ever brass player in the prestigious National Youth Wind Orchestra of Wales where she is currently Principal Trombone.

In 2009 Rhiannon was awarded the Robert Lewin Scholarship by the AYM, became a Future Talent Star and the youngest member of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra’s Youth Orchestra. In 2010 Rhiannon was again awarded the Robert Lewin Scholarship as well as an EMI Music Scholarship and Musicians Benevolent Fund Scholarship.

2011 was a very special year for Rhiannon. In January Rhiannon competed at the Chandos Symphony Orchestra Young Musician of the Year competition and was awarded the title of Most Promising Player for the second successive year and in February she won the Newark National Brass Festival. During March Rhiannon was a concerto soloist with the Solihull Symphony Orchestra and became the youngest trombonist in the UK to pass the Associate of the Trinity Guildhall London (ATCL) examination following a 40 minute recital. In July she performed at the Ryedale Festival on behalf of Future Talent in the presence of HRH Katherine Kent and took up the co-principal trombone position with the National Youth Brass Band of Wales. In November, Rhiannon was runner-up in the AXA Ambition Awards in the Arts category, a highly competitive national competition, and performed for the third time at the Royal Albert Hall for the Music For Youth Schools Prom. To close the year Rhiannon was successful in auditioning for positions with the National Youth Orchestra of Wales, the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain and securing her Grade 8 with Distinction on Euphonium.

Alex started learning the piano at the age of five. From 2003 he has been attending the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama under the Junior Music and Access Studies course, and at the age of fourteen, passed grade VIII with distinction.  This pass was acknowledged by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music for gaining the highest mark in the region. In May 2010, Alex was awarded the Margaret Rose Bursary by Drybrook Ladies Choir in memory of their founder musical director Margaret Burford. Earlier this year he gained The Herbert Howells Bursary , was a finalist in the Gloucestershire Young Musician and won the Cheltenham festival’s Keith Nutland award  for best young musician. As an accompanist, he plays for the Forest of Dean Male Voice Choir and the Springfield Singers and is quickly becoming well known as a talented classical pianist, performing in venues such as Cheltenham Town Hall and Bath’s Guildhall. Alex was successful in auditioning for a place at the Royal College of Music in London where he will start in September.