Theo Vinden

Theo, born to parents who specialise in the Kodály method of musicianship training, did his undergraduate cello studies on the Royal Northern College of Music/Manchester University Joint Course with Philip Higham, and subsequently went onto study conducting at the St. Petersburg Conservatoire in Russia, with Alexander Polishchuk. As a conductor, he is currently director of the Hounslow Concert String Orchestra and resident conductor of the Evolution Arts Centre; and has in the past been artistic director of the RNCM Cello Ensemble, Manchester University ensembles and Pro Corda orchestras. He has a number of premieres to his name, the most notable being David Onac’s Newton’s Cradle in the North West Music festival in the RNCM concert hall in March 2012, which received a standing ovation, as well as Richard Whalley’s this and that in October 2012.
As a cellist, Theo has enjoyed numerous successes over the years; he has appeared as soloist with the BBC Concert Orchestra, the Manchester University Music Society and on BBC Radio 3, and has worked professionally as a freelance cellist with Opera North, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Sinfonia Cymru. Whilst at the RNCM, he received the Leonard Rose award for achieving the highest final recital mark in his year; he was also asked to go on the highly prestigious tour to Montepulciano, and in a separate project worked directly with Steve Reich in a festival on his music. Other than being offered a place on the Joint Course, he was also offered a Scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music. He received the Marguerite Swan Award for achieving the highest mark in the country for ABRSM Grade VII cello in 2003. He also has a passion for chamber music, and was formerly a member of the Arcade Quartet which played in venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and the Purcell Room, and is currently a member of the Endymion quartet. He also has a great passion for educational work, and is currently enrolled on the renowned Pro Corda Leverhulme Fellowship, and also works for the Hillingdon, Ealing and Hounslow Music Service.