Orchestra Biographies
Tom Hammond was appointed Music Director of the British Police Symphony Orchestra in 2009, following the orchestra's extremely successful period under the baton of Patrick Bailey.
Tom enjoys conducting an eclectic range of repertoire, approaching every project with the aim of making music enjoyable and stimulating for audience and performers alike. He is happy working with professional musicians, conservatoire students and amateur players, and holds positions in each field. He is Artistic Director of the acclaimed professional ensemble sound collective, a regular guest conductor at London's Trinity College of Music, and Music Director of the leading London amateur orchestra Sinfonia Tamesa. He also animates music education projects, and is a regular workshop leader for Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and the Historic Royal Palaces.
Tom enjoys conducting an eclectic range of repertoire, approaching every project with the aim of making music enjoyable and stimulating for audience and performers alike. He is happy working with professional musicians, conservatoire students and amateur players, and holds positions in each field. He is Artistic Director of the acclaimed professional ensemble sound collective, a regular guest conductor at London's Trinity College of Music, and Music Director of the leading London amateur orchestra Sinfonia Tamesa. He also animates music education projects, and is a regular workshop leader for Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and the Historic Royal Palaces.
Tom's conducting talent has been recognised by several important figures in classical music, including Sir Charles Mackerras, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Barry Wordsworth, John McCabe and David Matthews. Concerts have brought critical acclaim and the praise of fellow musicians. In 2005 he was selected to take part in one of the world's most prestigious conducting competitions, the International Sibelius Conductor's Competition in Helsinki, where he conducted the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra in some of the most challenging music in the conductor's repertoire.
Tom grew up in South Staffordshire, where he conducted his first concert at the age of sixteen. He pursued a career as a professional trombonist, studying at London's Royal Academy of Music and graduated in 1997 with a rare 'First' for his final recital. Over the next ten years he worked with many prominent orchestras and ensembles, notably the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Mahler Chamber Orchestra (Germany) Gabrieli Consort & Players and Europa Galante (Italy). He even dipped a toe into the world of pop music with The Divine Comedy and Meat Loaf. During this time Tom continued to pursue conducting projects and was a founding member of sound collective in 2003.
In 2006 Tom decided to retire from playing the trombone upon his appointment as the inaugural Sir Charles Mackerras Fellow in Conducting at Trinity College of Music (2006-2008). Tom was selected for the post by Sir Charles, who continues to offer his advice and encouragement. As soon as the Fellowship finished Tom was invited back to the college as a guest conductor and regularly works with all of the college ensembles. During his time as Fellow, Tom assisted prominent conductors such as Barry Wordsworth, Nicholas Cleobury, Simon Wright and Gregory Rose. He also led several of his own projects, notably performances of Mozart's rarely-performed 'singspiel' Zaide at St John's, Smith Square and Blackheath Concert Halls. He also conducted performances of two major operas for the college, Dialogues des Carmélites (Poulenc) and The Rake's Progress (Stravinsky).
Tom has given numerous World Premières as well as first British/London performances. He has conducted acclaimed performances of music by many contemporary composers, including John McCabe, David Matthews, Robert Saxton, Elena Firsova, Bernard Hughes and Matthew Taylor. Tom has also conducted as a guest with professional ensembles including the brass of the London Symphony Orchestra and the chamber ensemble Gemini. In 2009 he will travel to Russia to conduct a performance with the St. Petersburg State
Academic Orchestra.
…translucent, nuanced and vivid…
Helsinki Sannomat
…ably conducted by Tom Hammond…dynamic and colourful…very convincingly played…
The Independent
…a sterling performance…conducted with élan by Tom Hammond…
Tempo Magazine
...the orchestra's rapturous acclaim for him was visible testimony to their esteem for his contribution…a fine conductor…
Classical Source
This section of the site is under review ... more biographies to follow in the near future ...
Tom grew up in South Staffordshire, where he conducted his first concert at the age of sixteen. He pursued a career as a professional trombonist, studying at London's Royal Academy of Music and graduated in 1997 with a rare 'First' for his final recital. Over the next ten years he worked with many prominent orchestras and ensembles, notably the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Mahler Chamber Orchestra (Germany) Gabrieli Consort & Players and Europa Galante (Italy). He even dipped a toe into the world of pop music with The Divine Comedy and Meat Loaf. During this time Tom continued to pursue conducting projects and was a founding member of sound collective in 2003.
In 2006 Tom decided to retire from playing the trombone upon his appointment as the inaugural Sir Charles Mackerras Fellow in Conducting at Trinity College of Music (2006-2008). Tom was selected for the post by Sir Charles, who continues to offer his advice and encouragement. As soon as the Fellowship finished Tom was invited back to the college as a guest conductor and regularly works with all of the college ensembles. During his time as Fellow, Tom assisted prominent conductors such as Barry Wordsworth, Nicholas Cleobury, Simon Wright and Gregory Rose. He also led several of his own projects, notably performances of Mozart's rarely-performed 'singspiel' Zaide at St John's, Smith Square and Blackheath Concert Halls. He also conducted performances of two major operas for the college, Dialogues des Carmélites (Poulenc) and The Rake's Progress (Stravinsky).
Tom has given numerous World Premières as well as first British/London performances. He has conducted acclaimed performances of music by many contemporary composers, including John McCabe, David Matthews, Robert Saxton, Elena Firsova, Bernard Hughes and Matthew Taylor. Tom has also conducted as a guest with professional ensembles including the brass of the London Symphony Orchestra and the chamber ensemble Gemini. In 2009 he will travel to Russia to conduct a performance with the St. Petersburg State
Academic Orchestra.
…translucent, nuanced and vivid…
Helsinki Sannomat
…ably conducted by Tom Hammond…dynamic and colourful…very convincingly played…
The Independent
…a sterling performance…conducted with élan by Tom Hammond…
Tempo Magazine
...the orchestra's rapturous acclaim for him was visible testimony to their esteem for his contribution…a fine conductor…
Classical Source
This section of the site is under review ... more biographies to follow in the near future ...
