The Stevenson College Edinburgh Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is launching and seeking woodwind, brass, percussion, and string musicians of all ages and experience levels. The orchestra aims to involve the community and allow experienced musicians to mentor less experienced players. It will be led by prominent violinist Hector Scott and conducted by Tommy Fowler, a composer and lecturer at Stevenson College. The SSO offers students the opportunity to learn from and contribute to the knowledge of experienced orchestral musicians. An open invite for musicians to try out the orchestra will take place on October 28th.

1. PRESS RELEASE
27 September 2010
Come and join the Stevenson College Edinburgh Symphony Orchestra
Stevenson College Edinburgh is set to launch its first ever community
orchestra which is being named the Stevenson Symphony Orchestra (SSO).
The orchestra is looking for woodwinds, brass, percussion and string
musicians, who are interested in being part of the new orchestra. All ages and
standards are welcome.
This new orchestra aims to be really part of the community; its musicians will
have the opportunity to perform and write music, suggest music they d like to
play and the orchestra will be looking for the more experienced musicians to
pass on their knowledge to less experienced players, making the new
Stevenson Symphony Orchestra truly unique.
The orchestra is being led by prominent violinist Hector Scott. Hector started
his career at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama before going to
Switzerland on a Caird Travelling Scholarship to study with Max Rostal and
then to the New England Conservatory, Boston, USA, where he won the
Concerto Club of Boston Prize and many others. Hector now leads the Saltire
Quartet, Chrysanth Trio and duets with Julia Lynch and is Artistic Director of
contemporary music group Two s Company . He is a frequent guest on
Television and BBC Radio and is Head of Instrumental Studies at George
Watson s College, Edinburgh and serves on the Music Advisory Committee
for the Caird Travelling Scholarships Trust.
Hector added, I am really excited to be involved in this new orchestra. I know
that the Stevenson Symphony Orchestra will be something special within
Edinburgh, driven by skill, enthusiasm and passion.

2. Tommy Fowler, composer and Music Lecturer at Stevenson College
Edinburgh, has been appointed as the orchestra s Conductor and Artistic
Director. Tommy said:
This is a very exciting project for Stevenson and I am delighted to be part of
it. The orchestra will be a fantastic addition to musical life in and around
Edinburgh in that it offers a unique double opportunity for students to both
learn from experienced players and for these players to contribute to the
students knowledge of orchestral playing.
Tommy holds a Ph.D. in composition and his work, which is regularly
commissioned, covers orchestral, choral, ensemble and solo pieces. His
music has been performed by the RSNO, the SCO, the BBC SSO, NYCoS,
Ensemble Bash, Paragon Ensemble, New Edinburgh Orchestra, Dunedin
Consort, John Kitchen, Cappella Nova and many others both in the UK and
abroad. He has been conducting for forty years and is currently conductor of
the Glasgow Symphony Orchestra.
There is a small charge to join the Stevenson Symphony Orchestra which will
cover the usual costs for sheet music, venue hire and transport to the
performance venues.
Musicians can try out the orchestra on Thursday 28 October when Stevenson
is holding an open invite at the College s Music Box, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
Alternatively, more information can be found on the College website
(www.stevenson.ac.uk) or call the Head of Music for more information (Ken
Thomson: 0131 535 4621).
ENDS

3. Contact Details
For more information, contact:
Tammy McAllister, Marketing Officer
e: tmcallister@stevenson.ac.uk
t: 0131 535 4711
Editor s Notes
- Stevenson College Edinburgh celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2010.
When the College opened in 1970 at the Sighthill Campus, it had three
thousand students. Today, it is one of the largest colleges in Scotland
with over 18,000 students, of which nearly 3,500 are full-time (2008/09
academic year) and over 1,000 are EU and international students.
- Stevenson College Edinburgh has introduced a new Degree Foundation
course in Traditional Music Performance this year, as well as the
College s first degree level course, the BA in Music Performance.
- Stevenson College Edinburgh s Faculty of Creative Industries offers a
range of short 10 week courses through to NQs (National Qualifications),
HNDs (Higher National Diplomas), BTECs and Degree Foundation. They
have a variety of study methods available including full-time, part-time,
day release and evening study.
ENDS