A Message from Emilie Godden -
I’m excited and honoured to become the new Principal Conductor of the St Woolos Sinfonia. When I first played with the orchestra some years ago, I was struck by the high standard of their music-making, as well as their warmth and camaraderie. I’m looking forward to developing our relationship and putting together programmes which will both inspire the players and delight our fantastic audience. Our audience is at the heart of the St Woolos Sinfonia family and we value your support immensely. We look forward to you joining us in this exciting new chapter.
news
St Woolos Sinfonia Announce New Principal Conductor - Sunday 21st July 2024
All at St Woolos Sinfonia are very excited to announce the appointment of Emilie Godden as our new Principal Conductor. Emilie has performed, both as a violin soloist and conductor, with St Woolos Sinfonia in recent years and we look forward to many more inspirational concerts with her at the helm. The next SWS concert conducted by Emilie, will take place at Newport Cathedral on Saturday 9th November 2024, in a programme of Felix Mendelssohn’s, ‘Hebrides’ Overture, Joseph Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 1 in C Major, with cellist Rhys Herbert and WA Mozart’s Symphony No. 38 in D Major, ‘Prague’.
Emilie will succeed Tianyi Lu, who has now moved to the Netherlands, where she is much in demand, combining her busy work schedule with bringing up a young family. We are indebted to Tianyi for her many years of sublime inspiration, uplifting the orchestra’s performance and creating many very special musical memories. We are very pleased that Tianyi will return to Newport next year, to conduct the orchestra in our Spring concert on Saturday 3rd May 2025, performing Charlie Barber’s ‘Ludwig Variations’ and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 in F Major, ‘Pastoral’.
Come and Sing choruses from Sir Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man with St Woolos Sinfonia, 27 April 2024.
We received some lovely feedback following our ‘Come and Sing’ day:
“Absolutely wonderful”
“Most enjoyable day”
“Excellent event”
“Very welcoming”
“Great having orchestra- what a treat”
“Thank you to the orchestra and their lovely sound”
Many thanks to Eugene Monteith who led the day, to Emma Gibbins who accompanied the workshop and played the organ, and to the players who gave their time and talents.
Dr David Lloyd-Davies
It is a great sadness for us at the St Woolos Sinfonia that Dr David Lloyd-Davies died recently after a long illness. David had played the ‘cello in the orchestra in the past (photo from 2011, with David seated front row, right). He was, together with his wife Jennifer, a loyal supporter of the orchestra for many years. An ecclesiastical historian by profession, David was passionate about music all his life and would cherish every opportunity to engage in making it. His genuine kindness and dry wit will be greatly missed. Sonia Hammond, SWS Principal Cellist, played from Bach’s ‘Cello Suite No 1 at David’s funeral service - the music which he left open on his stand at home
A concert of Christmas music and readings at St Deiniol’s Church, Itton, on 16th December 2023. Players from the St Woolos Sinfonia: Christoph Mädler, Helen Rees, Rachel Stubley, Jane Leney, Alison Van Buren, Valerie May, James Leney and Karen Millar
Comments from players and singers after our uplifting performance of J.S. Bach’s cantata Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, Sunday, 10 Dec 2023, at Newport Cathedral
“It was a pleasure to take part” “Delighted with the opportunity to make great music with talented musicians” “A lovely musical event” “So fitting to be part of a service with the music you chose” “It’s been a pleasure working with you all” “It was such a lovely start to the festive season - really special” “It was a true joy to take part and feel the spirit of the season”
The orchestra was joined by the St Woolos Sinfonia Chorale, a choir of invited, experienced singers from the Cardiff/Newport area.
Who took part in the St Woolos Sinfonia Chorale?
Invited singers from: BBC National Chorus of Wales, Cantorion Ardwyn, Cantemus Chamber Choir, Cardiff Bach Choir, Llandaff Cathedral Choral Society, Sine Nomine, Welsh Camerata
For more details see PAST EVENTS
St Woolos Sinfonia Autumn Concert Saturday 11th November 2023, 7pm at Newport Cathedral.
Rising star, Emilie Godden, made her second visit to Newport to conduct the St Woolos Sinfonia, after her very successful debut concert with the strings of the orchestra in April. The all-Mozart programme featured the clarinet concerto in A Major K.622 (with SWS principal clarinet, Robert Watson, as soloist), the overture Der Schauspieldirektor and Symphony No. 36 K.425 (‘Linz’).
Emilie was recently the Leverhulme Conducting Fellow at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, in association with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. She is mentored by Martyn Brabbins. Through the association with BBC SSO, Emilie has regularly assisted Chief Conductor Ryan Wigglesworth. She has also assisted Martyn Brabbins, Antony Hermus and Teresa Riveiro Bohm. As part of the Fellowship, she has taken part in masterclasses with BBC SSO, Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Red Note Ensemble.
Her recent engagements include performances of Eleanor Alberga’s Nightscape featuring RCS students and members of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in Glasgow and Edinburgh, the European premiere of Stephen Goss’ Concerto of Colours with guitarist Nicolas Goluses, and two concerts at the 2022 St Endellion Summer Festival in Cornwall.
Emilie has also worked as assistant conductor for Grange Park Opera, opera at St Endellion and RCS Opera.Upcoming engagements include a Radio 3 recording and a concert performance with BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. As a member of the first violin section of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales since 1999, Emilie is experienced in performing a broad range of symphonic repertoire over two decades.
Emilie Godden
Thursday 5th October 2023
Our French café jazz trio set the tone for a lovely evening of French music and wine tasting led by Tom Innes of Fingal-Rock Wines, Monmouth. There was dancing in the aisles in Newport Cathedral.
Thanks to everyone who supported the event