A Danish conductor will lead the City of Carlisle Orchestra at a concert this weekend.
Magnus Plejdrup, 27, studied composition at The Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus, and is currently undertaking his postgraduate studies in orchestral conducting at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland under the tuition of Martyn Brabbins. Guest teachers include Ryan Bancroft, a former conductor of the Carlisle-based orchestra.
As part of his studies at the RCS, he has conducted BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Scottish Opera.
He has also conducted both amateur and professional ensembles in his home Denmark.
At the concert, on Saturday at St John’s Church, London Road, local musician Hannah Borlase will perform William Walton’s Concerto for Viola and Orchestra.
Soloist Hannah grew up in Carlisle and started to learn the viola aged eight. She was educated at Trinity School, playing with the City of Carlisle Orchestra before leaving for university.
Hannah now studies under Lucy Nolan in Manchester at the Royal Northern College of Music, having graduated from the University of Manchester.
She was runner up in the Procter-Gregg Prize for Performance for her third-year recital. During her time at RNCM, she joined with three friends to form the Ayla string quartet, and they continue to perform together.
Hannah also played in a range of different orchestral projects and ensembles, some including ‘wacky’ contemporary music! She has taken up opportunities to develop her conducting skills along with her abilities to lead musical workshops.
Hannah has also begun to teach viola and violin, and has secured a teaching job at Semitone Studios.
The programme also includes Holst’s Somerset Rhapsody and Dvorak’s Fifth Symphony.
The concert begins at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10 in advance from orchestra members or Bookcase in Castle Street, Carlisle or £12 at the door. (Students free).
