UK's Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Names New Assistant Conductor

Tom Fetherstonhaugh will spend a year with the BSO, having won a vote from the orchestra's musicians

Young English conductor Tom Fetherstonhaugh will become the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO)'s Assistant Conductor for the 2022/23 season.

Supported by a stipend, he will work with the orchestra's Chief Conductor Kirill Karabits, as well as Principal Guest Conductor Mark Wigglesworth and Associate Guest Conductor David Hill.

Fetherstonhaugh has recently graduated from the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied conducting with Sian Edwards. Prior to this, he completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Oxford, where he was an Organ Scholar at Merton College.

He began his musical studies at an early age with the Suzuki violin method. As a boy, he sang in the choir of Westminster Abbey, including a solo in Paul Mealor's Ubi Caritas at the 2011 Royal Wedding.

As a conductor, Fetherstonhaugh has led groups including the Ulster Orchestra, Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra, Southbank Sinfonia, Leicester Symphony Orchestra, and Hereford Symphony Orchestra. He is also founder of the Fantasia Orchestra, a group of young players from various Junior Conservatoires in the UK.

"I’m thrilled to have been appointed Assistant Conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra," Fetherstonhaugh said.

"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!"

"It’s been fantastic to witness this group of impressive finalists work with the Orchestra over the past few days," said Dougie Scarfe, the BSO's Chief Executive.

"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."