The
Artistic Team
James Slater Conductor and Joint Artistic Director
James was educated at the Purcell School of Music, Royal College of Music and King’s College, Cambridge, before continuing his studies with Neil Thomson. Shortlisted in 2008 for an Arts Council of Wales ‘Creative Wales Award’, James’s professional development has been supported by ACW and the Headley Trust. He is Principal Conductor of the Hereford String Orchestra and former Artistic Director of the Brecknock Sinfonia and Marches Chamber Choir. James has recently been working with the Southbank Sinfonia and with Barry Wordsworth at the Royal Ballet, Covent Garden. (Photograph by Paul Edgley)
Marcia Crayford Leader and Joint Artistic Director
Marcia made her Royal Festival Hall solo debut while still a student at the Yehudi Menuhin School and went on to perform concertos with Sir Adrian Boult, Sir Michael Tippett and Sir Simon Rattle. For 25 years she was leader of the Nash Ensemble which has a remarkable worldwide reputation for its performances of a wide range of music. She has made many prize-winning recordings with the ensemble and her performance of the Elgar Violin Sonata was recently named the benchmark in the BBC Music Magazine. On leaving the Nash Ensemble she was invited to lead the London Symphony Orchestra working with many of the great conductors. She appears regularly as guest leader with all the major orchestras, and some highlights include the last Star Wars film with John Williams and the LSO, performances at Covent Garden and in Summer 2010 concerts at the Edinburgh Festival and the BBC Proms with Donald Runnicles and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. She is a mentor with the Mendelssohn on Mull Festival, and also teaches and mentors chamber music in the Brecon Beacons where she now lives.
James Slater Conductor and Joint Artistic Director
James was educated at the Purcell School of Music, Royal College of Music and King’s College, Cambridge, before continuing his studies with Neil Thomson. Shortlisted in 2008 for an Arts Council of Wales ‘Creative Wales Award’, James’s professional development has been supported by ACW and the Headley Trust. He is Principal Conductor of the Hereford String Orchestra and former Artistic Director of the Brecknock Sinfonia and Marches Chamber Choir. James has recently been working with the Southbank Sinfonia and with Barry Wordsworth at the Royal Ballet, Covent Garden. (Photograph by Paul Edgley)
Marcia Crayford Leader and Joint Artistic Director
Marcia made her Royal Festival Hall solo debut while still a student at the Yehudi Menuhin School and went on to perform concertos with Sir Adrian Boult, Sir Michael Tippett and Sir Simon Rattle. For 25 years she was leader of the Nash Ensemble which has a remarkable worldwide reputation for its performances of a wide range of music. She has made many prize-winning recordings with the ensemble and her performance of the Elgar Violin Sonata was recently named the benchmark in the BBC Music Magazine. On leaving the Nash Ensemble she was invited to lead the London Symphony Orchestra working with many of the great conductors. She appears regularly as guest leader with all the major orchestras, and some highlights include the last Star Wars film with John Williams and the LSO, performances at Covent Garden and in Summer 2010 concerts at the Edinburgh Festival and the BBC Proms with Donald Runnicles and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. She is a mentor with the Mendelssohn on Mull Festival, and also teaches and mentors chamber music in the Brecon Beacons where she now lives.
