ABOUT US
Kew Sinfonia is a Chamber Orchestra comprising professional and talented amateur musicians who regularly perform together in the local community under our Musical Director, Conductor Daniel Hogan, and Leader Catherine Schofield.
Our wide repertoire comprises the established popular masterworks as well as great but lesser known compositions from the 18th century to the present day, including new works commissioned from contemporary composers.
Kew Sinfonia's regular concert venue is St Anne's Church on Kew Green, near Kew Gardens, in addition to which we perform at other venues in Kew, Chiswick and South West London.
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
DANIEL HOGAN
Daniel Hogan is a 26-year-old British conductor who recently graduated with First Class Honours in Masters in Conducting at the Royal College of Music, where he studied under a full scholarship with Toby Purser, Peter Stark and Howard Williams. He now studies for a Professional Diploma at the Royal Academy of Music with Sian Edwards.
In concert, Daniel has conducted the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Baltic Sea Philharmonic and Moravian Philharmonic. He has also acted as Assistant Conductor for some of the UK’s finest orchestras, including the Philharmonia, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, English Symphony Orchestra and BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
In Summer 2022, Daniel was an active participant in the Järvi Conducting Academy, having been selected from over 200 candidates. He was taught by Paavo, Kristian and Neeme Järvi. Daniel is mentored privately by Martyn Brabbins and Christopher Seaman and has also taken part in masterclasses led by Sakari Oramo, Vasily Petrenko, Jac van Steen, Ryan Bancroft, Rafael Payare, Colin Metters, Ben Gernon and Sir Antonio Pappano.
Daniel enjoys many close relationships with non-professional orchestras, being Music Director of the Kew Sinfonia and Chorleywood Orchestra, and regularly guest conducting the Hertford Symphony Orchestra, Farnborough Symphony Orchestra and Winchester Symphony Orchestra amongst others. He particularly enjoys working with youth orchestras, most recently being Rehearsal Conductor for the Ulster Youth Orchestra in the Summer 2023.
Upcoming highlights include the release of his recording of the Schumann Violin Concerto, with soloist Laure Chan and Daniel’s young professional orchestra, the Sinfonia Perdita. This was recorded at Abbey Road Studios during Spring 2023.
Daniel writes: “It is an absolute pleasure and privilege to work with Kew Sinfonia, who I believe to be one of the finest non-professional groups that I collaborate with. The joy of being their Music Director is that we can build a long-lasting relationship where we grow to understand each other's music making more and more, and create an increasing sense of camaraderie as time goes on too, which only serves to heighten the quality of our concerts! This combination is what I am passionate about striving for with any group I have the pleasure of working with in the future so I am ever grateful to the Kew Sinfonia for having me."
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LEADER
CATHERINE SCHOFIELD
Catherine Schofield has led Kew Sinfonia since being appointed in 2017.
Cathy Says:
“I am a West London girl at heart, having lived in Ealing all my life apart from my student years in Manchester. I actually remember a time when entry into Kew Gardens was 3 old pence! I love the idea of being connected to the thriving local musical community, so it was an honour to be invited to take over from Gudrun Edwards, the founder Leader of Kew Sinfonia when she retired. I really enjoy working with amateur musicians, who play because they love to, and that is so refreshing! The players of Kew Sinfonia all work hard and are not afraid to tackle varied and challenging repertoire. The smaller, more flexible forces of a chamber orchestra require demanding and exacting playing from individuals; for me, the best bits are when they are playing like chamber musicians with their ‘antennae out’ - music-making which really opens out in the live performances. I can think of quite a few highlights of leading Kew Sinfonia over the past few years, and am looking forward to many more in the future.”
Catherine received a Junior Exhibition to the Royal College of Music. She pursued her training at Manchester University and subsequently at the Royal Northern College of Music, studying with Emanuel Hurwitz and tutored by Peter Cropper and Richard Deakin.
Passionate about the importance of chamber music, Catherine is a founder member of the renowned Bridge String Quartet, established over 30 years ago as one of Britain’s foremost quartets and named after English composer Frank Bridge. The quartet has built up an international reputation through their highly-acclaimed recordings and extensive touring, acting as ambassadors of English Music in many festivals. Catherine coaches regularly on Bridge Quartet courses in the UK and Europe, and also at Dartington Summer Music and Pro Corda Music courses.
As a freelance violinist Catherine has developed long associations with the English Chamber Orchestra, Glyndebourne Touring Opera and English Touring Opera, which she co-led. She has also frequently played in principal positions with various orchestras and groups including Primavera.
Catherine is a respected teacher who has a thriving practice in Ealing, teaching pupils of all ages. She has taught at Junior Guildhall, Junior Trinity and the RNCM, and now runs “Stringendo!”, Saturday morning music classes in Hammersmith.