LUUMS Symphonic Wind Orchestra, known affectionally as “SWO”, is an auditioned ensemble of the finest wind and percussion players studying in Leeds. As well as performing concert band staples, we also tackle contemporary wind band music and orchestral transcriptions. Recent performances have included music by Whitacre, Bernstein, Tichelli and Sparke. We rehearse every Wednesday in term time (7:30-9:30) in School of Music.

We also have several socials (SWOcials) throughout the year, suggestions of fun activities always welcome! We perform 3-4 times a year and end the year by teaming up with Symphony Orchestra on a European tour, most recently to Amsterdam and Paris. This year we hope to tackle music by Grainger, Arnold, Respighi and Holst, including a few arrangements especially made for the ensemble. The programme for this year contains a variety of engaging and challenging works to showcase the musicianship of our members.

 

For more information about auditions or the ensemble, email Emma or Georgie at swo.luums@gmail.com.

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Rehearsals begin on the 5th October 2022.

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Wednesdays 7.30 – 9.30pm

Rehearsal Hall, School of Music

swo.luums@gmail.com

Georgie Fernando (they/she)

Manager

Georgie is a final year music student from London. They started playing the oboe aged 7 and have since picked up the piano and saxophone. Georgie has been involved in Haringey Young Musicians and conducted and composed for one of their concerts. This is Georgie’s second time managing SWO after a year with rehearsals over Zoom. They are looking forward to returning to in-person rehearsals and getting the chance to introduce some exciting repertoire. Georgie’s aim is to create an inclusive environment where pieces are put forward by the ensemble and there is an active aim to perform repertoire by underrepresented composers. They are very excited to get to know everyone and get back into the swing of things.

Tom Proctor (he/him)

Conductor

Tom is a second-year BA Music student hailing from the home of wealthy Londoners' second homes, Buckinghamshire. A seasoned performer, Tom has played in everything from small jazz combos to a four-year tenure in the Bucks Youth Wind Ensemble and has performed in wind ensembles at notable venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Mont Orgueil in Jersey, the Czech Museum of Music in Prague and Disneyland Paris. A highlight of his wind ensemble career was getting to play a conch in a concert. During his first year with LUUMS, he played in Sinfonia, the Symphony Orchestra, and as the principal clarinetist in Symphonic Wind Orchestra. An enthusiastic multi-instrumentalist, Tom will play any instrument he can get his hands on. This has included everything from pitched percussion to traditional Chinese instruments like the erhu and dizi. On his primary instrument, the clarinet, he holds an LTCL diploma. Outside of music Tom is a recovering weeb, and an avid japanophile.

Will Stephenson

Manager

Will is in his final year of his  integrated masters in Mathematics and he will be one of the SWO managers this year!

 

He has the pleasure of being apart of the clarinet section in SWO in the first and third years of his degree and he really enjoyed playing new and challenging pieces in a fun environment.

 

He looks forward to planning rep and SWYMPH tour this year.