Matthew Williams landed a six-month contract as Co-Principal Trumpet with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales while in the final year of his undergraduate studies at RWCMD.
His performances with the orchestra have included Proms concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, Shostakovich 5 at St David’s Hall and recordings for Doctor Who. He has also played in concerts and recordings with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the London Concert Orchestra, and as Principal Trumpet for Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
We talked to Matthew just before he graduated from RWCMD in 2012 about collaborations including brass quintets, the BBC and Buckingham Palace.
What has been the ‘best bit’ of your course?
Definitely the Orchestral Placement Schemes with BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the orchestra of Welsh National Opera. They are a great insight to the profession and its a brilliant opportunity to sit in a professional orchestra.
Any other highlights of your time at RWCMD?
In my first year, I was chosen to play at the College’s 60th Anniversary celebration at Buckingham Palace as part of the brass ensemble. It was only my first year so the pressure was on! It was an amazing experience to play in the Palace and meet Prince Charles. Since then, I have played for the Queen when she came to open the Welsh parliament, and when she visited Llandaff Cathedral, so three royal performances so far!
We talk a lot about opportunities for students to collaborate and perform in ensemble here at the College. Can you tell us about some of the different experiences you’ve had at College?
I have played with the college Symphony Orchestra in St David’s Hall and the Chamber Orchestra at Hoddinott Hall (the home of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales), as well as here at the College in the new Dora Stoutzker Hall. I am also part of the 10-piece brass ensemble, and we’ve played all across Wales.
I’ve also got together with four other students to form a brass quintet. We perform all the fanfares for the Mayor of Cardiff, and we’re playing at the Wales Millennium Centre and the Bristol Music Festival. That’s been great experience in organising and promoting our own performances – something that the College really encourages.
Because of the links that the teachers and the College have, we have opportunities to play with some high-profile organisations. I played on the soundtrack to a television documentary for BBC Wales, and a CD of music from films and TV shows – it was really great to play something a bit more ‘poppy’ for a change.
What is the most exciting project you have worked on to date?
Everyday is an exciting project and no day is ever the same. You learn something new everyday and for me that is the most exciting part.
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