President - His Serene Highness Dr Donatus, Prince of Hohenzollern
Matthew Taylor
Conductor Composer
Matthew Taylor won a Music Scholarship to Queens’ College Cambridge where he studied with Robin Holloway, before receiving the Conducting Scholarship to Guildhall School of Music. He went on to enjoy a close mentorship with Leonard Bernstein and received special encouragement from Robert Simpson - whose 11th Symphony he recorded with City of London Sinfonia, winning a Gramophone Award in 2004.
A prolific and distinctive voice in British music, Matthew has written six symphonies, many Concertos, eight string quartets with much of his orchestral work being performed and broadcast by BBC Orchestras. Future projects include a 7th Symphony for English Symphony Orchestra and a string orchestra commission for the 2027 Presteigne Festival.
Matthew is Principal Conductor of Farnham Sinfonia and St James’ Chamber Orchestra and has appeared as Guest Conductor with many leading UK Orchestras. Recent engagements include recordings with BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
Matthew has been a passionate advocate for music education and public engagement throughout his career. He taught at the Royal Academy of Music for 35 years and is now a Staff Conductor and teacher at the Yehudi Menuhin School.
Read more about Matthew in this recently published article.
Sasha Parker
Associate Conductor
Sasha is a nineteen year-old violinist-conductor studying at the Royal College of Music under Lutsia and Alina Ibragimova, having previously studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School. Sasha is a prizewinner of many international competitions, including first prize at the WMSO Young Musician Concerto Competition and RCM Concerto Competition, second prize at the 44th Rodolfo Lipizer Competition in Gorizia and the Sevenoaks Young Musician of the Year Competition, and third prize at the Ilona Féher Violin Competition in Budapest.As a conductor, Sasha was mentored by Matthew Taylor, and currently studies with Howard Williams and Toby Purser at the RCM. Since 2023, Sasha has maintained a close relationship with the Farnham Sinfonia, appearing frequently as both soloist and associate conductor.