St. Andrews Chamber Orchestra & Bede Williams
Biographie St. Andrews Chamber Orchestra & Bede Williams
Bede Williams
A New Zealander, Bede made his concerto debut at the age of 17 with the Auckland Philharmonia. He has appeared as a soloist throughout New Zealand and the UK, with performances broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and RNZ Concert. In 2015 he released his debut recording ‘Crystalize’, an album of music for trumpet and electronics.
Bede has commissioned and premiered many new works for brass, touring in the UK, as well as to North America, Europe and the Middle East.
Since 2010 he has been Music Director of the St Andrews New Music Ensemble and in 2017 became Head of Instrumental Studies at the University. In 2012 he founded the St Andrews Brass Festival which over the years has expanded and evolved to become the notable Fringe of Gold Festival, traversing a wide gamut of chamber music, large ensembles, master-classes and community events, all involving brass, wind and percussion.
As a conductor Bede has a wide range of experience with student, amateur and professional orchestras, as well as choirs and bands.
St Andrews Chamber Orchestra
comprises the best student instrumentalists from the University of St Andrews, conducted by Director and Deputy Director of Music, Michael Downes and Bede Williams. Having recently performed a survey of Brahms’ four symphonies and Beethoven’s last three symphonies; and following their 2023 tour to both sides of the Irish border, the Orchestra perform the first concert of their tour to the Highlands, with a programme of great German works of the 19th century.
