For over a decade, players from the Academy have been mentoring the orchestral players of the future, working side by side with members of Southbank Sinfonia. This training ensemble provides performance and collaborative opportunities for young players making the transition from studying at a conservatoire to playing for a professional orchestra.
The Academy is Southbank Sinfonia’s chamber orchestra partner, and as such provides distinctive training for the young ensemble in the performance of chamber repertoire, communicating and working effectively as an ensemble, and making artistic decisions. The members work in the spirit of the Academy, performing without a conductor as a collaborative ensemble. The project promotes musical entrepreneurism and refines the fundamental attributes required of prospering ensemble musicians, ensuring that Southbank Sinfonia members are equipped for a career in the orchestral sector.
The fruits of the project are in evidence for all to see in the Academy’s own ranks, with both clarinet members of the Academy – James Burke and Tom Lessels – former members of Southbank Sinfonia.
This year, the ensemble will mirror the Beethoven theme of the Academy’s 2016/17 season in their Unconducted concert, workshopping and performing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and The Creatures of Prometheus Overture. A free rush-hour concert will take place at St John’s, Waterloo, at 6pm on Thursday 9th March to conclude the project.