About 

Established in 1949, Derby Concert Orchestra is Derby and Derbyshire's leading local orchestra. Led by Principal Conductor Jack Capstaff, we play five or six concerts a year in and around Derby. 

We play the entire orchestral repertoire, from smaller scale baroque pieces to the mightiest symphonic works. We often invite new and emerging singers and instrumentalists to perform, leading to some exciting and memorable concerts. 

Would you like to join our orchestra?

Read about the history of the orchestra here.

Jack Capstaff

Principal Conductor

Jack Capstaff is a conductor of, and composer for, a wide variety of musical genres and ensembles, currently holding residencies with Rotherham Symphony Orchestra, Derwent Brass, a Derbyshire Brass Band, and Harlequin Brass, a symphonic brass ensemble.

Having conducted since age fifteen, cutting his teeth with a local brass band, and being appointed the music director of a number of pantomimes and shows, Jack went on to study conducting and composition at the Royal Welsh college of music and drama.

As a composer, Jack has been commissioned by some excellent and varied ensembles, such as Black Diamonds, which was commissioned for an anniversary concert by Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band, and Fahla, commissioned by Sinfonia Newydd in collaboration with Artes Mundi and premiered in the National Museum of Wales.

Jack’s specialism, and passion, lies in the creation and performance of contemporary music but firmly believes in the use of skills transferable from this endeavour to that of more classical repertoire and beyond, having worked on Mozart, to Messiaen, and lots in between.

Since early 2022 Jack has begun studying and consulting with some of the country’s top musical minds, studying conducting with Mark Heron, with consultations in interpretation, conducting, and composition with Frank Renton, Ray Farr, and Philip Wilby.

Marcus Pashley

Associate Conductor

A graduate of Manchester University, Marcus pursued a career in music education, holding the posts of Director of Music at Kimbolton School in Cambridgeshire (1998-2004) and Director of Music at Cranleigh School, Surrey (2004-2019). After almost thirty years of full-time school teaching, he took the opportunity to move back to his roots in Derbyshire and now enjoys life as a freelance conductor, based in Chesterfield.

Marcus has served as Chorus Master of Central Festival Opera and as Musical Director of the Huntingdonshire Philharmonic Chorus & Orchestra, Cranleigh Choral Society and the Surrey Festival Choir. In 2006 he founded the Merriman Concert Orchestra in Surrey, which draws on professional London-based musicians. He has also been a guest conductor of the Manchester Camerata. Marcus is currently Musical Director of the Burton-on-Trent chamber choir ‘Friday Voices’ and senior tutor of the Chester Choral Week.

A popular adjudicator, credits include the Channel Islands Music Competition and the Bangor International Choral Festival.

Matt Byrne

Leader

Matt was born in Liverpool into a very musical family – his parents were both music teachers and his grandfather was one of the founding tutors of the National Youth Orchestra.

He studied at Durham University and led their Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and String Quartet. Since then he has played on a freelance basis with orchestras and ensembles in London, the North West, and the Midlands.  He has also been guest leader for Derby Chamber Orchestra and Trent Chamber Orchestra.

He plays a violin that was made by his father in 1977.

Bryan Clarke
​President

Vicki Newall 
Chairman

Andrew Hubbard 
​Deputy Conductor