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Established in 1949, Derby Concert Orchestra is Derby and Derbyshire's local orchestra. Lead by Principal Conductor Jonathan Trout, we play 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, usually leading to some exciting and memorable concerts. Would you like to join our orchestra? |
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Jonathan TroutPrincipal ConductorJonathan studied the violin at the Royal Manchester College of Music (now the RNCM) followed by a music degree at the University of York. As as violinist, he gained valuable experience in the Ulster, Sadlers Wells and Royal Ballet orchestras.
He has extensive conducting experience, including with the Sinfonia Bucharest, London Schubert Players, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra's 'Ensemble Ten-Ten', and Bolton Symphony Orchestra. Jonathan has also attended the International Conductors' Institute in Bulgaria and worked with the Varna State Philharmonic. |
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Jack CapstaffGuest ConductorJack 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. |
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Marcus PashleyGuest ConductorA 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, to which he will return in 2024. He is delighted to be invited to conduct the Derby Concert Orchestra in the 2023-24 season. |
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Paul HilliamGuest Conductor |
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Andrew HubbardDeputy ConductorAndrew Hubbard is our contra bassoonist and has been a member of the orchestra for many years. He studied music at Nottingham University and was awarded a PhD for a thesis on the late operas of Sullivan.
Andrew decided not to follow a music career and instead retrained as an inspector of taxes. He is now a partner in an international accountancy firm and combines this with being editor-in-chief of Taxation magazine. |
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Matt ByrneLeaderMatt 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 led Derby Concert Orchestra and Trent Chamber Orchestra. He plays a violin that was made by his father in 1977. |
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Founded as The Derby Light Orchestra in 1949 by Allan Street (a well known brass player and teacher), the orchestra originally concentrated on 'light classical' repertoire. Performance standards were high, as they are today. Violinist Alfredo Campoli and the Derby composer Ronald Binge featured in early concerts.
The name and characteristics of our orchestra have changed as it has matured and grown. |
