Welcome to our new Music Director!
ESO is excited to announce the appointment of our new Music Director, Matthew Andrews.
Matt is a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, where he studied composition with Professor Robert Saxton, piano with Susan Alexander-Max, and conducting with Alan Hazeldine. He received advanced tuition from composer Simon Bainbridge, and conductors Christopher Adey and Peter Stark.
Amongst many accomplishments and achievements, Matt has been a visiting conductor at the Junior Department of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and at Wells Cathedral School. He is a Musical Director within the Essex Youth Orchestras programme and has taught orchestral conducting technique at the Guildhall. He appears regularly as guest conductor with a range of ensembles and is an award-winning consultant in the creative industries, having led more than sixty projects across education, broadcasting and the performing arts.
In 2010 he was appointed as Principal Conductor of the Norwich Philharmonic Orchestra and appointed Principal Conductor of Prometheus Orchestra in 2022. For over twenty years, he has served as Artistic Director of the Resonate! McKinsey Music Festival in Kitzbühel.
Matt joins us following a term as ESO’s guest conductor during our 2025/26 programme and we are delighted that he will conclude the season for us with our next concert on Saturday 20 June. Click here to book tickets whats on | Essex Symphony Orchestra
WELCOME TO THE 2025/26 SEASON!
All concerts held in Christ Church, New London Road, Chelmsford.
Tickets £15 online*, £17 on the door.
*booking fees apply
05 December 2026
Humperdink Overture to Hansel and Gretel; Prokoviev Violin Concerto (soloist- Hannah Perowne); Tchaikovsky Symphony No6 with Conductor – Matthew Andrews
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Free Young People’s Orchestral Workshop
Free Young People’s Orchestral Workshop
In May 2027 Essex Symphony Orchestra will once again be inviting young musicians to join them for a morning to enjoy orchestral playing alongside experienced players and under the guidance of professional conductor, Mr Matthew Andrews (https://matthewandrews.net/)
The workshop is for pupils who learn an orchestral instrument in or out of school and who have passed Grade 1 to Grade 5. As last year, there will be just one session for everyone so that all players can enjoy the full orchestral sound created by the mix of beginner, intermediate and Grade 4/5 parts.
The exact date for the workshop has not yet been set, but watch this page for details as soon as they are published.
If you would like further information about the Essex Symphony Orchestra and to see pictures and a review of previous workshops, please visit our website, https://www.essexsymphony.org.uk/outreach/