We chatted to Tom about the Fantasia Orchestra’s 10th anniversary celebrations.
Congratulations on the 10th anniversary of the Fantasia Orchestra! What celebrations have you still got planned?
We our celebrating our first decade with a showcase season in the beautiful Smith Square Hall, Westminster. I hope you can come!
How does it feel to be marking such a celebration?
I am looking back on the first ten years of Fantasia with immense joy. There is also a big sense of gratitude for everyone who has made this incredible journey possible: our audiences, our wonderful musicians, the fantastic team, and our loyal group of supporters who have facilitated our growth and upwards trajectory.
How did the idea for the orchestra come about?
When I was in my final year of school, I brought together friends from youth orchestras, summer music courses, and school, to play music for fun. Fantasia has evolved over the following ten years into a professional ensemble that is making a return to the Royal Albert Hall this summer for our third and fourth BBC Proms performances.
What have you enjoyed the most about watching the orchestra develop over the years?
Developing long-lasting artistic partnerships has been a real joy, both with the orchestral musicians and with the soloists.
What are your hopes for the orchestra’s future?
Our artistic identity is centred on multi-genre programming that brings different musical traditions into dialogue with each other. This will continue in the coming seasons as we explore more fantastic music with thrilling soloists across the country. We hope you can join us at an upcoming performance!
To find out more about the Fantasia Orchestra visit: https://www.fantasiaorchestra.com/