Liverpool Philharmonic is delighted to announce the appointment of four musicians into the third annual Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Emerging Musicians Fellowship.  

The Emerging Musicians Fellowship offers early-career musicians a paid, immersive professional orchestral experience, both on and off the stage over the course of a year.  They have the opportunity to learn from professional musicians about orchestral life and gain experience within an orchestral setting to help support them in their careers. The Fellowship has no upper age limit has around 300 musicians apply each year. 

This year, Liverpool Philharmonic was delighted welcome Matthew Brett into the Orchestra as Section Leader Percussion. Matthew was part of the first group of Emerging Musicians Fellowship in 2022/23. 

The four musicians appointed as Fellowship Musicians for the 2024/25 season are:  

• Emily Douglas (French horn) 
• Emily Ambrose (bassoon) 
• Imogen Timmins (trumpet) 
• Daniel Lewis (violin) 

About the Fellowship Musicians 

Emily Douglas is a Horn player originally from Middlesbrough. They will be graduating in December 2024 with a Master’s degree from the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), where they also completed an undergraduate degree with 1st class honours. Emily has completed professional experience schemes with The Halle (2021/22) and BBC Philharmonic (2022/23) and has since gone on to enjoy freelancing with a number of orchestras across the North West including Opera North. Emily is looking forward to the coming year and is excited for everything the scheme has to offer. 

Emily Ambrose is a bassoonist from Newbury, Berkshire. She is a Leverhulme Arts Scholar at the Royal College of Music, where she is just completing her second year of undergraduate study learning with Emily Hultmark and Joost Bosdijk. Since moving to London Emily has enjoyed taking advantage of the many musical opportunities available both in and out of college. Emily is thrilled to have been offered this opportunity, and is looking forward to learning from the musicians, getting involved with educational projects, developing her musicianship, and gaining knowledge and understanding of how to build a successful career. 

Imogen Timmins is a trumpeter from Cornwall. She recently completed her Bachelor of Music course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, learning with Paul Beniston, Anne McAneney and Will O’Sullivan. Introduced to brass playing by St Keverne Brass Band, Imogen developed a keen interest in orchestral playing through Cornwall Youth Orchestra. Throughout her undergraduate degree, Imogen has had numerous orchestral opportunities at the Barbican Concert Hall, she has also studied the Baroque Trumpet at Guildhall, under the tutelage of David Blackadder. Imogen has recently developed her solo playing, most notably performing in the final of Guildhall’s annual Brass competition this year, the Armourers and Brasiers Prize. Imogen will soon be starting her Master of Performance degree at the Royal College of Music, having been awarded a scholarship by the conservatoire. Her studies will also be supported by the Help Musicians UK Postgraduate Award and The Lord Lieutenant’s Fund Award. Imogen is thoroughly looking forward to this year’s scheme with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

Daniel Lewis from Watford was born into a family of musicians and was immersed in classical music from an early age. He studied violin with Lorraine McAslan for nine years at the Junior Royal Academy of Music and gained extensive experience as a teenager leading high-standard youth orchestras including the Hertfordshire County Youth Orchestra and the Watford School of Music Youth Orchestra. As a chamber music player he has had coaching with eminent musicians including members of the Carducci Quartet. Daniel is delighted to have been awarded this opportunity by the Liverpool Philharmonic. The scheme provides a perfect gateway to gain experience playing in a professional orchestra, which he finds especially valuable given his career change. He is really looking forward to his time in Liverpool

Sameeta Gahir, Principal Piccolo, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Lead Musician for the Emerging Musicians Fellowship, said: “I’m thrilled to be welcoming in our third group of musicians into the Emerging Musicians Fellowship. Each year we are overwhelmed by the sheer number of exceptional applications we received from talented musicians nationwide. The level of skill and dedication displayed by all the applicants was truly remarkable, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of them for their commitment and effort in presenting themselves. It is with great excitement that we announce the newest Fellowship Musicians. Their exceptional musical abilities and unique talents have stood out among the many outstanding candidates, and we are delighted to have them on board for this upcoming season.” 

Matthew Brett, Section Leader Percussion, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Emerging Musicians Fellowship Alumni said: “I’m so thrilled to be joining the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra as Section Leader Percussion. It’s an absolute honour to be part of an organisation with such an amazing musical history, and one that has contributed directly to my musical development, having been an Emerging Musicians Fellow with the orchestra in 2022-23. I’m really delighted to be embarking on a career in this wonderful city and I feel privileged to be playing alongside such talented musicians.” 

About the Fellowship  
 
The Emerging Musicians Fellowship programme aims to support a diverse range of outstanding orchestral musicians at the beginning of their careers. The programme began in Autumn 2021, and we will be welcoming applications for the Year 4 Cohort in the 2024/25 Season. 

The Emerging Musicians Fellowship programme aims to help address some of the significant challenges faced by early-career orchestral musicians. The programme removes barriers to employment and empowers individuals to realise their full artistic talent and potential.  

Each year Liverpool Philharmonic welcome a cohort of Fellowship Musicians on a yearlong placement. We pair each Fellowship Musician with a mentor and provide them with instrument lessons from members of the Orchestra. These placements are an immersive, paid opportunity. Each Fellowship Musician is involved in every aspect of professional orchestral life including rehearsals, performances with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, work with our Youth Company, and engagement across our pioneering Learning Programmes through In Harmony Liverpool and our Music and Health Programmes.