Liverpool Philharmonic is delighted to announce the appointment of four musicians who have been selected for the first annual Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Emerging Musicians Fellowship. 

Earlier this year, Liverpool Philharmonic received over 350 applications from musicians at the beginning of their orchestral careers. The Fellowship, which has no upper age limit, offers musicians a unique, immersive professional orchestral experience, both on and off the stage over the course of a year. Notably, the Fellowship is the first paid opportunity of its kind in the North of England. 

The four musicians appointed as Fellows for the 2022/23 season are: 

• Angus Bain - Violin 

• Rachael Watson - Flute 

• Cameron Chin-See - Trumpet 

• Matthew Brett – Percussion & Timpani 

About the Fellows 

Angus Bain recently completed his Master’s degree at the Royal Academy of Music and has since started freelancing around the UK. On his appointment, he said:  

“I applied for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Fellowship in order to work with and get to know a group of excellent professional musicians whilst honing my playing in orchestral, chamber and audition environments. I am also really looking forward to getting involved with the various educational projects on offer, learning more about the organisational side of the orchestra, and exploring the benefits of the performance and wellbeing programme.” 

Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) alumnus Rachael Watson is currently in her first year of the “Orchestral Artistry” Master’s course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She said: 

“I am thrilled to have received a place on the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Emerging Musicians Fellowship programme, and I am excited to continue my development by gaining further experience of working in a professional environment, learning new repertoire and building a relationship with the Orchestra.”  

Cameron Chin-See, from Wolverhampton, studies at the RNCM and has won the Principal Trumpet seat in the RNCM Symphony Orchestra. He said:  

“I was enticed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra fellowship as it opens up the opportunity to work with a world-class orchestra on a scale no other scheme allows. I am excited to work with the wonderful Orchestra brass section and with such renowned conductors as Domingo Hindoyan and Vasily Petrenko.” 

Cheshire-born Matthew Brett studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He said: 

“I applied to the Emerging Musicians Fellowship not only with the aim of developing my personal playing skills, but also to gain an invaluable, behind-the-scenes insight into the life and work of a professional musician. I’m really thrilled to have this opportunity to develop into a young professional and learn from some of the best!” 

Sameeta Gahir, Principal Piccolo, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Lead Musician for the Emerging Musicians Fellowship, said:  

“Following the launch of the Emerging Musicians Fellowship earlier this year, we received hundreds of excellent applications from musicians across the country. The standard was incredibly high and we thank all applicants for taking the time to put themselves forward.  

“I’m thrilled to welcome Angus, Rachael, Cameron and Matthew to Liverpool Philharmonic and I’m looking forward to working with them this season.” 

About the Fellowship 
 
Fellows will each be mentored by a member of their section within the Orchestra and will rehearse and perform with the Orchestra as part of the regular season programme. They will perform in concerts conducted by Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Chief Conductor Domingo Hindoyan, with Angus Bain and Cameron Chin-See also set to perform in a concert conducted by Conductor Laureate Vasily Petrenko. 

Fellows will participate in a tailor-made training package, which will include instrument lessons and developmental sessions, as well as sessions focused on an orchestral career.  

The pioneering Liverpool Philharmonic Musicians Performance and Wellbeing Programme, including physiotherapy, sports massage, injury prevention screening, audiology, and performance psychology, will be fully accessible to the Fellows. Fellows will gain practical experience within Liverpool Philharmonic’s extensive Learning and Participation programme, and build knowledge in various areas of the organisation, such as the music library, marketing, programming and fundraising departments.