Meet Findlay Spence, our 2020 Apprentice
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We’re delighted to announce the selection of Findlay Spence, cellist, as the winner of our 2020 Apprentice competition.
Following a full day of auditions in Edinburgh back in March, which featured performances from talented young musicians studying at UK music colleges and conservatoires, the Quartet faced a difficult decision, but agreed Findlay was the strongest candidate.
“Findlay made an instant and vivid impression on us all. Fully engaged with the music, incredibly able, well prepared and with excellent communication too. We are very excited about the musical journey ahead.” Catherine Marwood, EQ Viola
Building on the success of the third competition in 2019, which saw the talented cellist Carlos Verperinas García join the quartet for performances throughout the year, Findlay will now go on to receive a period of mentoring and rehearsal before a series of appearances with the Quartet (adhering of course to COVID-19 guidelines).
“Meeting and playing with the Edinburgh Quartet was a really special experience. I am so looking forward to working closely with this wonderful group”. Findlay, the new EQ Apprentice
About Findlay
Scottish cellist Findlay Spence is a scholar at the Royal College of Music in London, studying with Melissa Phelps. Findlay has performed at festivals and venues throughout the world as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral principal. His extensive range of repertoire demonstrates a commitment to exploring contemporary and lesser-known music as well as bringing a new voice to more established works.
He has performed major cello concertos with many British orchestras, as well as contemporary concertos by John Bevan Baker and Tom David Wilson. He has been invited to perform chamber music throughout Europe and is a founder member of the Carsaig Quartet. He has performed alongside the Doric String Quartet at the Mendelssohn on Mull Festival and has given chamber performances this season at Wigmore Hall, Royal Festival Hall, and Pierre Boulez Saal in Berlin.
Findlay has toured Europe and China as an orchestral musician, and was principal cello of NYOS Scotland at the BBC Proms. He has played with the European Union Youth Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, English National Opera Orchestra, and has been Principal Cello of every Royal College of Music orchestra.
Findlay is the Cello and Composition Scholar at St. Paul’s, Knightsbridge, where he frequently performs and writes for the resident professional choir. He is also Resident Cellist at W. E. Hill & Sons, where he has the opportunity to play and critique the finest modern and antique instruments.
Findlay plays Robert Brewer Young’s ‘Rostropovich’ cello, generously loaned to him by the St. Paul’s Foundation.
