Frances Mason | violin
Frances Mason has won prizes at several international violin competitions, including the Carl Flesch and National Federation of Music Societies’ Award. She studied at the Royal College of Music with Alan Loveday and as a child was taught by Albert Sammons. As well as appearing as soloist at the Promenade Concerts and throughout the country she has been involved with several chamber ensembles (such as Olive Zorian’s Quartet and the Dartington Piano Trio) and has performed around the world when leading the Music Group of London.
Hilary Sturt | violin
Hilary Sturt graduated from the Guildhall School (David Takeno) and Royal College of Music (Felix Andrievsky) with prizes for solo, chamber and contemporary music. Her experience as a leading performer embraces classical and avant-garde ensembles, together with improvisatory playing in music theatre, working with Frank Zappa and the dancer Laurie Booth. Hilary also values teaching at the Royal College of Music and at St. Paul’s School for Girls, where she is Head of Strings, as an opportunity to reinvest in the future of music.
Robin Wedderburn | viola
Robin Wedderburn began his violin studies at school with Maxwell Ward and continued them at the Royal Academy of Music under Manoug Parikian before taking a Music degree at King’s College, Cambridge. He was, from 1981 to 2009, Head of Strings in the music department at St Paul’s school in South-West London, having previously taught for eight years at Malvern College. For the past fifteen years he has worked as string tutor and conductor with the Scottish Schools Orchestra Trust. He is a violinist, violist and composer, with a particular interest in writing music which is suitable for less advanced players and yet in some way interesting and rewarding for more proficient musicians.
Ian Pressland | cello
Ian Pressland studied cello with Florence Hooton and Donald McCall. While at Trinity College of Music he won the Sonata Prize, the Louise Bande and Sir John Barbirolli prizes for cello. Ian was a member of the BBC Concert Orchestra and later became Assistant Director of Pro Corda (The National School for Young Chamber Music Players). He is now a Director of ‘Arts and Finance’ his own music promotion company and the London Chamber Orchestra. He plays a 1760 Joseph Hill cello, bought with assistance from the Musicians Loan Fund in memory of Jacqueline du Pré.