St Lawrence's Church
Parsonage Lane
Hungerford
RG17 0JB
Debussy Clair de Lune (arr. Kime)
Finzi Clarinet Concerto
Schumann Abendlied (arr. Svendsen)
Schoenberg Verklärte Nacht
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James was a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain for three years where he played under distinguished conductors.
James currently learns with Mark Van de Wiel and Chi-Yu Mo at the Royal Academy of Music. His studies are generously supported by the Academy with a scholarship. Previously, James studied with Derek Hannigan at the Junior Guildhall Department. James was a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain for three years.
Tom is Fantasia's Conductor & Artistic Director.
Tom’s start in music was fortuitous, as he was lucky to be introduced to an inspiring violin teacher by his grandmother at the age of four.
At eight he became a chorister of Westminster Abbey, an experience he describes as ‘transformative’, benefitting from musical training that featured high profile occasions like singing the solo at the Royal Wedding in 2011. Tom then attended Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, a state comprehensive that champions music and the arts.
He continued with the violin, sang, played the organ, and started to explore conducting, enjoying the process of rehearsals and the ability both to make music with and to bring together large groups of people. It was in his final year at school that he saw the potential for a career in it, founding Fantasia Orchestra in 2016.
Tom now enjoys a busy career with major orchestras, including with the BBC Philharmonic and the National Symphony Orchestra Ireland. In his rare moments of downtime he enjoys running, listening to jazz, and cooking, likening the process to conducting — it being about balance, flavour, pacing and bringing people together.
St Lawrence's Church
Parsonage Lane
Hungerford
RG17 0JB