Arch Sinfonia
Arch Sinfonia
ABOUT US
Extraordinary music. Unexpected experiences. Genuine connection.
CONCERT DIARY
Where we’re going and where we’ve been. Come along for the ride.
“I was bowled over by these young players, who radiate energy and inspiration. Their unquenchable thirst for producing fresh interpretations of classic repertoire and more adventurous works is admirable.”
Conduct Arch Sinfonia - 2017
Inside the Orchestra - Arch Sinfonia
About Us
ABOUT US
About Us
ABOUT US
Arch Sinfonia
Excellence | Curiosity | Collaboration | Openness
Mission: Arch Sinfonia brings together exceptional professional musicians to create ambitious, imaginative orchestral experiences. We champion women in music, explore new artistic possibilities and build meaningful connections through performance, creative learning and collaboration.
Vision: A future where orchestral music is artistically adventurous, open to more people and shaped by a wider range of voices, experiences and creative ideas.
About: Founded in 2012 Arch Sinfonia has become renowned for its boundless energy, youthful inspiration and committed performances of a wide range of repertoire. Comprising up to 40 early-career musicians from across the world, the orchestra curates engaging programmes which spanning five centuries of musical history - including popular masterworks, adventurous cross art-form projects and new music commissioned especially for the ensemble.
Artistic collaborations have included projects with the Manchester Singers, London Russian Ballet School, London Business School’s Leadership Institute, Imperial College London, Creating Ground CIC and painters from South West London’s London School of Art.
The orchestra has performed with renowned soloists, such as Inbal Segev, Zsolt-Tihamer Visontay, Amy Harman, Hannah Roberts, Katy Wooley and James Fountain amongst many others and is equally at home performing at LSO St. Luke's, Chapelle des Invalides in Paris and appearing on adverts for Ford and Sony as it is performing at its resident home at the Victorian built Greenwich-West Community & Arts Centre.
Arch Sinfonia is on a mission to re-examine the possibilities of an orchestra and break down the barriers between audience and musicians. Arch Sinfonia hope to build stronger relationships with audiences and increase the understanding of how an orchestra works: audience members will have the rare opportunity to sit amongst the orchestra, hearing the music and seeing the players from an entirely new perspective, and will help shape the Orchestra’s future Seasons through an audience vote at every concert.
MEET THE FOUNDER
Chloé van Soeterstède
SUPPORT OUR WORK
Make a meaningful difference by supporting Arch Sinfonia
“I have many recordings of the Emperor Concerto, but this recording by the Arch Sinfonia is the one that I like best. I was amazed to hear details in the scoring that I had never heard before and I love the energetic way in which Chloe communicated Beethoven’s love for his audience without interfering with the music in any way. It was like listening to Boulez conduct.”
Soloists
Arch Sinfonia maintain strong relationships with a number of renowned international soloists and are able to provide a platform for upcoming artists. Below are a selection of soloists who have performed with Arch Sinfonia since 2012.
Our Founder
Our Founder
Photo by Olivia da Costa
Chloé van Soeterstède
Principal Guest conductor, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Founder and Artistic Director, Arch Sinfonia
Highlights of Van Soeterstède’s 23/24 season include debuts with the Philharmonia and Hallé, in Europe with the Bilbao Symphony, Norrkoping Symphony and Lausanne Chamber orchestras, in the US with Colorado Springs Symphony and at Lincoln Center, New York, with the Orchestra Now and further afield with the Auckland Philharmonia, Melbourne and Adelaide Symphony orchestras. She will also return to the Orlando Philharmonic, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Gävle Symphony and RTVE Symphony (Madrid) orchestras.
In recent seasons Van Soeterstède has conducted widely in the UK, France, Spain and Sweden in particular working with orchestras such as the London Philharmonic, Bournemouth Symphony, BBC Scottish Symphony, Orchestre National de Montpellier, Orchestre National de Lille, Orquesta Sinfónica de Castilla y Léon and the GiOrquesta for a production with La Fura dels Baus at the Portaferrada Festival. Soloists with whom she is working include Sergey Khachatryan, Colin Currie, Alena Baeva, Kian Soltani, Jess Gillam, Peter Moore and Tobias Feldmann.
Van Soeterstède conducts a wide range of repertoire from Farrenc, Mayer, Beethoven and Mendelssohn through to Sibelius, Ravel and Prokofiev. In 2019 she conducted the world premiere of Benjamin Attahir's Syrian Voices in France, and regularly programmes works by contemporary composers such as Anna Clyne, Dani Howard, Roxanna Panufnik, Annamaria Kowalsky, Katarine Leyman and Anna Meredith. At the 2019 Deutscher Diringentenpreis in Cologne she was awarded the Bärenreiter Prize for the best interpretation of a contemporary work, as well as Third Prize overall.
In 2012 she founded the Arch Sinfonia, a chamber orchestra based in London, which has been applauded for its vibrant and boundless energy, its wide range of repertoire and its initiatives to build bridges between artists and audience. Van Soeterstède also loves to work with young musicians, and as such works regularly with specialist music schools and conservatoires across the UK.
Van Soeterstède was born in 1988 in France. After studying viola in Paris and then at the Royal Academy of Music, she studied conducting at the Royal Northern College of Music (2015-2017) with Clark Rundell and Mark Heron where she was awarded the Kennedy scholarship and was also supported by the Derek Hill Foundation. She was appointed the Taki Alsop Fellow 2019-21 by Marin Alsop and was a Dudamel Fellow with the LA Philharmonic in the 21/22 season.
Van Soeterstède is represented by Intermusica for General management and by Wittenberg Artists for North America representation.
““Chloé van Soeterstède brings a professionalism which is often lacking in other young conductors. This professionalism is evident in her performances with the Arch Sinfonia - an outstanding orchestra of young virtuosi, conducted expertly by her.””
Governance
GOVERNANCE
Meet the Team
Governance
GOVERNANCE
Meet the Team
Board of Trustees
We are thrilled to introduce our Board of Trustees who bring a wealth of expertise to support and oversee the running of Arch Sinfonia.
Anna Williams - Chair of Trustees
Anna has been working in arts management for 15 years, starting her career at the Edinburgh Festival. Anna has worked at the Pleasance Theatre, Soho Theatre and Fuel Theatre. Anna is now working in dance as the Director of Finance and Administration at Studio Wayne McGregor. Her skills include finance, HR, producing, governance and people management.
Anna was drawn to Arch Sinfonia by the daring and bold live performances that engage audiences and encourage participation. She is delighted to be an inaugural trustee at the exciting time of a transition to charity status.
Martin Arnaud
As a manager for music & culture partnerships at Google, Martin’s mission is to deliver long term positive impact to music & culture industries through transformational collaborations and effective internal advocacy. It started in 2018 with supporting emerging artists in developing their presence on YouTube and evolved towards building complex, strategic programs and partnerships with FR & Southern EU music institutions.
Prior to joining Google, Martin spent over 10 years in driving digital transformation within the classical music sector, from supporting the FR classical ecosystem in the UK with the Cultural services of FR Embassy in London (bureauexport, French Institute) to leading sales and marketing activities for Chandos Records, UK’s leading independent classical music label. Martin is a graduate from ESSEC Business School.
Isla Cameron
Isla is an experienced arts marketing specialist with a strong track record in strategic campaign development, digital innovation, and audience engagement. She currently serves as Marketing Manager at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, where she leads organisation-wide communications and shapes the charity’s public profile. Previously, as Marketing Manager at Wigmore Hall, she oversaw the launch of multiple concert seasons and delivered a wide range of high-impact campaigns that strengthened audience loyalty and increased attendance.
Alongside her in-house roles, Isla runs Simply IC, a marketing agency supporting many organisations across the UK. Her portfolio includes social-enterprise work, rolling out marketing initiatives in churches and community music groups. Helping these organisations articulate their mission, expand their visibility, and connect with people has become a central and meaningful part of her practice.
A trained musician with a BA in Music from the University of York, Isla is passionate about creating accessible and meaningful cultural experiences. She was drawn to Arch Sinfonia’s bold, inclusive approach to performance and their commitment to breaking down barriers between orchestras and audiences. Outside of work, Isla is an avid performer, singing in many choirs in and around London, and enjoys exploring new artistic projects and musical collaborations.
Bobby Leaf
Bobby qualified as an ICAS Chartered Accountant (CA) with EY and has also obtained the prestigious EY Tech MBA, being one of the first within UKI Assurance at EY to achieve this. Having previously been offered opportunities and scholarships at the London Centre for Young Musicians to study the piano, harpsichord, and chamber music, he understands the power of giving people a chance to excel through music and the importance of collaboration, having performed as part of an orchestra at concerts.
As a Trustee, he is keen to support Arch Sinfonia in its mission of furthering classical and contemporary orchestral music and championing women in the Arts. Bobby has also planned, managed budget finances, and united people from BAME backgrounds in his role as Social Events and Networking Lead for EY’s Far East Network; he not only enjoys advocating for diversity and inclusion but has also performed as a Guzheng (Chinese Harp) player at EY’s flagship Lunar New Year Event. Bobby also sits on various committees championing women as a male ally and is a workstream lead for sustainability initiatives at EY. By being an active member of the Digital Ambassador Network within EY, he is exposed to emerging technologies and coupled with an innate passion for music, he is excited to give back and add value as a Trustee to Arch Sinfonia.
Andrew Liddell
Andrew Liddell is a partnerships and fundraising specialist with over a decade of experience across the arts, education, charity, and social welfare sectors. He has secured major corporate relationships throughout his career, including five, six and seven‑figure partnerships with brands such as Rolex, Harrods, Fendi, American Express, Barclays and Burberry.
Most recently, Andrew served as Partnerships Manager at the Royal Ballet & Opera, where he led high‑value corporate relationships and strategic sponsorships spanning print and digital visibility, hospitality, membership, and brand collaborations. His earlier roles at Creative UK, Birkbeck, and Ravensbourne University London have given him a broad understanding of how different institutions build and sustain long‑term corporate support.
Andrew brings to Arch Sinfonia a deep understanding of corporate motivations, ESG and DEI drivers, and the ability to translate artistic and social value into compelling business cases. He specialises in structured fundraising strategy, prospect research, donor stewardship, and trustee‑level narrative development, with a particular strength in synthesising sector pressures into clear, actionable organisational strategy. He has also mentored teams and shaped internal processes to strengthen partner management and long‑term revenue resilience.
Andrew joins Arch Sinfonia out of a genuine alignment with its mission around representation, access, and artistic innovation, and a belief that its distinctive identity can underpin a bold, sustainable fundraising model for its future.
Fergus Marr
Fergus is an international freelance orchestra, production and tour manager in the classical music industry. He has managed concerts at all of the UK's major classical concert halls and arenas and has toured Europe, USA, the Middle East and South East Asia.
Regular clients include the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, City of London Sinfonia, the English Chamber Orchestra, Brighton Festival Chorus & Raymond Gubbay Ltd to name but a few. Notable recent projects include working on the Bond 60th anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall and producing the upcoming Classical Pride 2024 festival at the Barbican with the London Symphony Orchestra.
Alongside his concert work, Fergus also enjoys music arranging and orchestration for big band and orchestra, and he plays piano and bass guitar. When not working on music, he enjoys running, skiing, and failing to improve at golf.
Our History
OUR HISTORY
Our History
OUR HISTORY
21st October - St Mary's Primrose Hill
Mozart Overture to The Marriage of Figaro, K 492
Beethoven Romance for Violin No 2 in F Major
Haydn Symphony No 98 in B Major
Nathaniel Anderson Frank, violin
Chloè van Soeterstede, conductor
Nathaniel Anderson Frank is the Assistant Leader of the Philharmonia Orchestra in London. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music as a full-scholarship pupil of Maurice Hasson.
1st December 2012 - St Cyprian Church, Baker Street
Mozart Symphony No 29 in A major K. 201/186a
Mozart Concerto for Violin No 3 in G Major
Haydn Symphony No 44 in E minor “The Trauer”
Margaret Dienkonski, violin
Chloe van Soeterstede, conductor
Margaret Dziekonski has performed across Europe, the United States and Australia as both soloist and chamber musician. She has given concerti with American and British orchestras, and performed at Wigmore Hall, King's Place, St Martin in the Fields, St James' Piccadilly and St Peter's Eaton Square.
26th April 2013 - St Cyprian Church, Baker Street
Weber Clarinet Concerto No 1 in F minor op. 73
Smail Soliloquy for Strings, world premiere
Schubert Symphony No 1 in D Major
Ausias Garrigos Morant, clarinet
Chloe van Soeterstede, conductor
Ausiàs Garrigós Morant was born in Potries, Spain and holds a Masters degree from the Guildhall School. He has performed with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
11th October 2013 - St Cyprian Church, Baker Street
Mendelssohn Scherzo in E minor, No. 2, op. 16
Bruch First Violin Concerto in G minor, op. 26
Mendelssohn Symphony No 3 'Scottish' in A minor, op. 56
Thomas Gould, violin
Chloe van Soeterstede, conductor
Described as an artist who “refuses to be defined by a single genre” (The Guardian), Thomas Gould has fast established for himself a reputation as one of Britain’s foremost interpreters of contemporary music whilst also remaining dedicated to the core classical repertoire.
27th November - St James' Sussex Gardens
Kaminer Diaspora (Première)
Mozart Piano Concerto No 24 in C minor KV491 Beethoven Symphony No 4 in Bb major op. 60
Veronika Ilinskaya, piano
Chloe van Soeterstede, conductor
Russian-born Veronika Ilinskaya is a pianist of the very highest calibre. She performs regularly in London and New York and has recorded a CD of the Scriabin Piano Concerto with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
15th February 2014 - St Cyprian, Baker Street
Mozart Don Giovanni Overture K 527
Arvo Pärt Fratres for Violin, String Orchestra and Percussion
Beethoven Symphony No 2 in D Major, op. 36
Rose Hinton, violin
Chloe van Soeterstede, conductor
Rose regularly performs with the BBC Concert Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with many of the eminent conductors of our era. She has performed with the Pet Shop Boys, Kylie Minogue, Bryn Terfel and Katherine Jenkins.
Beethoven Coriolan Overture op. 62
Mendelssohn Symphony No 5 in D major/D minor op. 107 "Reformation"
Chloe van Soeterstede, conductor
The Symphony No. 5 in D major/D minor, Op. 107, known as the Reformation, was composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1830 in honour of the 300th anniversary of the Presentation of the Augsburg Confession. The Confession is a key document of Lutheranism and its Presentation to Emperor Charles V in June 1530 was a momentous event of the Protestant Reformation.
12 September 2014 - LSO St Luke's
Melles Concertino for Piano
Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5, op. 73 "Emperor"
Tobias Haunhorst, piano
Chloe van Soeterstede, conductor
Tobias Haunhorst has performed at Philharmonie Essen, Tonhalle Düsseldorf, Jahrhunderthalle Bochum, Stadthalle Wuppertal, Zeche Zollverein Essen, Palácio Nacional de Queluz, and Beurs van Berlage, De Doelen and at the Schleswig-Holstein Festival.
5 October 2014 - St. Phillip's Church, Earl's Court
Copland Fanfare for the Common Man
Bruch Scottish Fantasy in E-flat major, op. 46
Sibelius Finlandia, op. 26
Schubert Symphony No 5 in B-flat major, D 485
Minn Majoe, violin
Chloe van Soeterstede, conductor
Minn Majoe is a contemporary music specialist. She has performed with the London Sinfionetta, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Aurora Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and English National Opera.
18 October 2014 - St Cyprian Church, Baker Street
Sibelius Andante Festivo for Strings
Vasks Vox Amoris
Mozart Jupiter Symphony No. 41in C major, K 551
Morten Lyngs, violin
Chloe van Soeterstede, director
10 January 2015 - St Cyprian Church, Baker Street
Mendelssohn Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture, op. 21
Vivaldi Concerto for two Cellos in G minor, RV531
Beethoven Symphony No. 7 in A major, op.92
Tatiana Chernyshova, cello
Auriol Evans, cello
Chloe van Soeterstede, conductor
Tatiana Chernyshova has performed extensively throughout the UK and Europe and was a member of the Southbank Sinfonia.
Auriol Evans works with the Philharmonia and BBC Symphony Orchestra. Auriol is on trial for a position with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
24 January 2015 - Sloane Square
Dvořák Violin Concerto in A minor op. 53
Mendelssohn Symphony No 4 in A major op. 90 "Italian"
Zsolt-Tihamér Visontay, violin
Chloe van Soeterstede, conductor
Zsolt-Tihamér Visontay is the Concert Master of the Philharmonia Orchestra. Since taking up his post in 2004, his solo engagements with the orchestra have included performing The Lark Ascending under both David Hill and Sir Andrew Davis.
21 February 2015 - St. Cyprian Church - Baker Street
Dvořák Symphony No. 8 in G major, op. 88
Chloe van Soeterstede, conductor
Dvorak composed his 8th symphony in 1889. The score was composed on the occasion of his admission to Prague Academy and dedicated 'to the Bohemian Academy of Emperor Franz Joseph for the encouragement of Arts and Literature.'
14 March 2015 - Methodist Church, Hindle Street
Dvořák Serenade for Winds,
Dvořák Serenade for Strings
Haydn Symphony No. 82 in C Major "The Bear"
Chloe van Soeterstede, conductor
The Bear was commissioned in 1786 by the Concert de la Loge Olympique and is one of the 'Paris symphonies'. "The Bear" was written for the largest orchestral ensemble that Haydn had written for up until that time, including reinforced woodwind parts and a large string section.
18 April 2015 - Methodist Church, Hindle Street
Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, op. 58
Beethoven Symphony No. 6 'Pastorale' in F major, op. 68
Aleksandra Myslek, piano
Chloe van Soeterstede, conductor
Aleksandra Myslek studies at the Royal Academy of Music. She has performed extensively across the UK and Europe as a soloist and chamber musician.
7 June 2015 - St. Phillips Church, Earls Court
Weber Der Freischutz Overture, op. 77
Vivaldi Concerto for Two Trumpets in C Major RV 537
Dvořák Symphony No. 7 in D minor, op. 70
Tom Freeman-Atwood, trumpet
Gwyn Owen, trumpet
Chloe van Soeterstede, conductor
Gwyn Owen is co-principal trumpet of the Southbank Sinfonia. He regularly appears with the Orchestra of the Scottish Opera, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Welsh National Opera, Sinfonia Cymru and the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra.
22 June 2015 - London Ballet School, Clapham
Pugni Pas de Quatre
Tchaikovsky Spanish Dance
Chopin Waltz No. 7
Tchaikovsky The Swan
Debussy Sphynx
London Russian Ballet School is the only school in the UK to offer Russian ballet training exclusively with Russian-trained teachers. Technical skill, artistry, grace, power, dedication and stamina are the hallmark of Russian ballet and this is emphasised to all students.
4 October 2015 - St. Phillips Church, Earls Court
Smetana Vltava
Haydn Cello Concerto No. 2 in D Major
Beethoven Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major "Eroica"
Alex Rolton, cello
Chloe van Soeterstede, conductor
Alex Rolton is a highly versatile cellist who enjoys a lively and varied performing career alongside his studies at the Royal Academy of Music. This year has seen Alex touring in Austria, Norway, France, Germany and China whilst also performing extensively in the UK.
2 November 2015 - UBS, Liverpool Street
Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, op. 9
Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major
Mozart Concerto for Two Pianos in E-flat major, K 365
Prokofiev Piano Concerto No 1 in D-flat major
Richard Meyrick, compere
Chloe van Soeterstede, conductor
5 March 2016 - St. Phillips Church, Earls Court
Beethoven Egmont Overture
Beethoven Symphony No. 7 in A Major, op. 92
Chloe van Soeterstede, conductor
10 March 2016 - Chapelle de Invalides, Paris
Beethoven Egmont Overture
Mozart Oboe Concerto in C Major K314
Beethoven Symphony No. 7 in A Major, op. 92
James Hulme, oboe
Chloe van Soeterstede, conductor
22 April 2016 - St. Paul's Church, Hammersmith
Mendelssohn Overture to Midsummer Night’s Dream
Vaughan Williams Three Shakespeare Songs
Tavener Song for Athene
Vaughan Williams Serenade to Music
Mantyjarvi Shakespeare Songs
Tchaikovsky Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture
Manchester Singers
Rob Brooks, choral director
Chloe van Soeterstede, conductor
5 June 2016 - St. Phillips Church, Earls Court
Schubert Overture in an Italian style D. 950
Mozart Horn Concerto no. 4 in Eb Major K. 495
Seaman Petals (from Mirabai)
Mendelssohn Symphony No.4 in A Major, op.90
Alex Wide, horn
Chloe van Soeterstede, conductor
2 October 2016 - St. Phillips Church, Earls Court
Mahler Blumine
Vivaldi Bassoon Concerto
Seaman The Lake (from Mirabai)
Haydn Symphony No. 59 "Fire"
Amy Harman, bassoon
Chloe van Soeterstede, conductor
28 October 2016 - St. Paul's Church, Hammersmith
Mozart Eine Kleine Nacht Musik
Britten Serenade for tenor, horn and strings
Haydn Symphony no. 8 "Le Soir"
Katy Woolley, horn
William Blake, tenor
Chloe van Soeterstede, conductor
4 March 2016 - St. Phillips Church, Earls Court
Mozart Piano concerto no. 20 K466
Schubert Symphony no .5 D485
Di Xiao, piano
Chloe van Soeterstede, director