Alexander Laing: Violinist

Alex Laing is much in demand as an orchestral leader and director. He is founder and artistic director of the Darwin Ensemble Chamber Orchestra (DECO), with whom he recently performed Vivaldi's Four Seasons. He leads the Spires Philharmonic and is a guest leader of the Birmingham Philharmonic. Alex is a regular player and section principal of English Symphony Orchestra. He also does recital work with the pianist and composer Adam Caird.

Alex began his musical education at the Edinburgh Academy and at St. Mary’s Music School where he studied violin with Warren Jacobs and worked closely with Lord Menuhin. A graduate of Cambridge University and of the Birmingham Conservatoire, Alex studied violin with Jacqueline Ross, Peter Thomas, Malcolm Layfield and Michael Bochmann. At Cambridge, he held the prestigious Instrumental Award, which led to master classes with The Endellion String Quartet.

While at the Birmingham Conservatoire, Alex led the Symphony Orchestra, and with it appeared as soloist in Alban Berg's Violin Concerto, and in the premiere of Jonathan Girling's Violin Concerto – The Ice Palace. Other concerto performances have included the Mozart Sinfonia Concertante, the Mendelssohn and Bruch concertos, and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.

Alex is a former leader of the Astaria String Quartet with whom he played in concert throughout the UK, and was invited to attend the International Musician’s Seminar at Prussia Cove, where he worked with Gabor Takas-Nagy.

A keen educator, Alex enjoys working with students and composers on all aspects of music and performance. Until summmer 2010, Alex has been violin and viola teacher at Lichfield Cathedral School and at Repton School. From September 2010 he will take up position as Head of Strings at Uppingham School.

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