King Edward Musical Society (KEMS)

KEMS

Gareth Hacking

KEMS Orchestra

Originally set up to accompany the KEMS Choir, a role that is still central to its activities, the Orchestra has progressively established itself as a performing orchestra in its own right. It has atttracted eminent conductors over the years; in recent years they have included such figures as composer Colin Touchin (former head of composition at Chetham’s School of Music and Director of Music at Warwick University); Martin Milner (former leader of the Hallé Orchestra); and Stephen Threlfall (former BBC Philharmonic cellist, now Director of Music at Chetham ’s). Since the 2001-2 season, the Orchestra has been conducted by Anthony Houghton, who for many years was Principal Clarinet of the Northern Ballet Theatre and Manchester Camerata Orchestras and who was a regular player with the Hall é Orchestra and BBC Philharmonic.

Anthony has played a major role in expanding the Orchestra’s repertoire in recent years. A few examples will demonstrate the range and styles of music played during the past few years:

l COPLAND Rodeo

l GERSHWIN Rhapsody in Blue

l BRAHMS Symphony No 2

l MILHAUD Suite Provencale

l DELIUS Brigg Fair

l DVORAK Symphony No 8

l TCHAIKOVSKY Violin Concerto

l RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Scheherezade

l ELGAR Symphony No 1

l BRUCKNER Symphony No 6

In 2011, the Orchestra gave the premiere of Christopher Swithinbank’s composition ‘June Unfolding’ recorded for BBC Radio 3.

The Orchestra always welcomes enquiries from prospective players; in the first instance, please e-mail us brief details of your playing experience and we will let you know if any vacancies exist at the present time.

JAKE PHILLIPS (leader)

Born in Leicester, Jake Phillips started to play the violin at the age of 8. From an early age, orchestral playing formed an important part of his musical life and he entered the Leicestershire Arts system of orchestras and ensembles, leading many of these groups including the String ensemble and Leicestershire Schools Symphony Orchestra with whom he toured many areas of Europe.

It was within this system that Jake first became interested in chamber music. He has also worked with many amateur orchestras in the Leicestershire area, occasionally as a soloist, performing at many of the large concert halls around the UK including the Albert Hall and Birmingham Symphony Hall.

In 2007 he led the accompanying ensemble that appeared on the popular TV series 'The Choir' with Gareth Malone. This culminated in a televised performance at the Albert Hall.

At the RNCM Jake has played under many eminent conductors including Gianandrea Noseda, Pablo Heras-Cassado, Mark Shanahan and Garry Walker, and has participated in two tours of Italy playing at the Cantiere Internazionale d'Arte directed by Roland Boer.

In his first year at the RNCM Jake became a founding member of the Aves string quartet. The quartet received coaching from some of the most eminent chamber musicians in the world, including Gabor Takacs-Nagy, Peter Cropper and Levon Chilingirian. This ensemble performed many recitals throughout the UK, and took part in three RNCM Chamber Music Festivals. Jake maintains an active role within the chamber music department working with many groups of varied instruments and giving frequent concerts both within and outside of the RNCM.

Jake studied under Stuart Johnson until successfully applying for a place at the RNCM where he is in his final year studying with Benedict Holland.