 Photo Andrew Pennill |
Our Conductor... Derek Williams
Derek Williams grew up in Nottingham studying the violin from an early age. He became a member of the National Youth Orchestra and made his debut as a soloist with the Nottinghamshire County Youth Orchestra playing the Sibelius Concerto. His interest in conducting began during a successful period in Bedford when he studied with several teachers before returning to Nottingham in 1983 when he was appointed conductor of the Nottingham Symphony Orchestra. In 1985 Derek co-founded the Nottingham Youth Orchestra, with whom he has since toured extensively throughout Europe and appeared on TV and radio.
The 2003/04 concert season marked Derek's twentieth as conductor with Nottingham Symphony Orchestra and in November 2003 this highly successful partnership was marked with a sell-out concert at the Albert Hall, Nottingham. (The audience of over 800 was a record for any event staged at the Hall.) The Orchestra were delighted to welcome internationally renowned violinist Dong Suk Kang who played the Sibelius Violin Concerto.