Tom Fetherstonhaugh from London has today (Friday 22 July) been announced as Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s 2022/23 Assistant Conductor, having won a vote from the Orchestra’s musicians at Lighthouse, Poole.
The bursary-supported training position is designed to offer a platform to build professional experience through performance opportunities and mentoring from the BSO’s world-leading conductors and musicians, which include Chief Conductor Kirill Karabits, Principal Guest Conductor Mark Wigglesworth, and Associate Guest Conductor David Hill.
The role — which was previously known as the BSO Young Conductor in Association — was previously held by Marta Gardolińska, who is rapidly developing into one of the most exciting young conductors and has since worked with the LA Philharmonic and Gustavo Dudamel. Gardolińska, who gained international attention during her tenure with the BSO, was last year appointed as Music Director of Opéra national de Lorraine.
Tom Fetherstonhaugh trained with Roland Melia and later with Sian Edwards at the Royal Academy of Music, where he graduated with Distinction in 2021. He is the founder of Fantasia Orchestra, which has recently been joined in concert by soloists including Alim Beisembayev, Jess Gillam, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, and Tasmin Little. Tom’s engagements this season have included conducting the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra ‘Playing to Inspire’ project with the Kanneh-Mason family, and assisting Francesco Cilluffo on Verdi’s Macbeth at The Grange Festival with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
Tom Fetherstonhaugh, the BSO’s 2022/23 Assistant Conductor said: “I’m thrilled to have been appointed Assistant Conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. It is an exciting opportunity to work with, and learn from, this outstanding orchestra across their season. The competition process has been really inspiring and supportive, and I can’t wait to start with the BSO in September!”
Dougie Scarfe, the Orchestra’s Chief Executive said: “It’s been fantastic to witness this group of impressive finalists work with the Orchestra over the past few days. We were delighted at the large range of applications received, which, given events of recent years and the limited opportunities for musicians on the cusp of an international career, is a reminder of how vital and necessary these professional development opportunities are.
“The BSO has a long history of supporting emerging talent — I’m proud that we’ve been able to offer the placement, we’re really looking forward to working with Tom Fetherstonhaugh over the coming season.”
The Assistant Conductor plays a key part in the BSO’s 2022/23 season, and will also work with inclusive ensembles BSO Resound and RNS Moves in presenting a newly-commissioned work by Kate Whitley next spring.
Alongside welcoming world-leading conductors and soloists to venues throughout the South West as it continues symphonic touring, the Orchestra’s 2022/23 season unveils brand-new works and previously unknown music through its ‘Voices from the East’ series under Kirill Karabits. It also welcomes the return of Artist-in-Residence, Felix Klieser and continues to livestream many of its main season concerts, having reached almost 100,000 global viewers since 2020.
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s 2022/23 symphonic season returns to venues throughout the South West — and via digital livestream — from 5 October. For full details visit bsolive.com
The Assistant Conductor role in 2022/23 has been generously supported by The Calleva Foundation, in memory of Jack Butt.
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