Our Musicians

Professionally trained....

ELEANOR PERCY - VIOLIN

Eleanor Percy is an acclaimed violinist who has won numerous prizes and awards for her work. She gives regular performances at the world’s leading concert halls with pianist Irina Lyakhovskaya, these include the Philharmonic Hall in St Petersburg, the Coliseum in Porto and annual recitals at the Wigmore Hall. They have recorded the complete Mozart sonatas for the Melodiya label and have broadcast for BBC television.

As an orchestral player, Eleanor regularly works with major ensembles including the English Chamber Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. She is also in demand as a soloist, and has performed many concertos ranging from Bach and Mozart to Brahms and Stravinsky.

In 1999 she won the TCM Association’s Outstanding Performance Award for her interpretation of the Glazunov concerto.

Eleanor studied at Trinity College of Music with Nona Liddell MBE and graduated with 1st class honours in 2002. She returned to the college as a Junior Fellow in 2003.

PAUL BARRETT - VIOLIN

Paul Barrett is a freelance violinist and plays regularly with many orchestras including Trafalgar Sinfonia, Orchestra Nova, Birmingham Opera Company, London Orchestra de Camera.

He is on the extra list with the RPO, and was a member of Southbank Sinfonia in 2005. Paul performed the premiere of Stuart Hancock’s Violin Concerto with Southbank Sinfonia, and led the orchestra on many occasions including Sir John Tavener’s premiere of the ballet ‘Amu’ with the Random Dance Company at Saddlers Wells.

His solo and chamber music experience includes Britten's Sinfonietta at the Wigmore Hall, Messaen’s Theme and Variations, and Stravinky’s Soldier’s Tale as principal violin with the London Contemporary Music Group, and Bach’s Double Concerto with London Concertante.

He plays with many string quartets and has recently recorded an album with Scott Matthews (Ivor Novello award winner), and has also recorded with Orchestra Nova for Paul Patterson, Cecillia McDowell and David Matthews. Paul studied violin at the Trinity College of Music in London and graduated with Distinction in a Postgraduate Diploma in Performance, studying with Gillian Findlay.

CATHERINE FOX - VIOLIN

Catherine studied the violin with Gillian Findlay at Trinity College of Music.

Amongst her freelance performing she has worked with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the RTE Concert Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. She is currently leader of Milton Keynes Sinfonia and has guest lead Kensington Symphony Orchestra.

As a recitalist, she has performed in Southwark and Leicester Cathedrals, St. Martin-In-The-Fields and the Foundling Museum, Russell Square. Last year she joined a European tour of ABBA The Show and was part of Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds tour.

She teaches at The London Oratory School and has tutored on the NLMS music summer school for the last 11 years.

TIM GILBERT- CELLO

Tim Gilbert began playing the cello at the age of eight and went on to complete his studies at Trinity College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Tim has played with many orchestras including the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, English Symphony Orchestra, Bath Philharmonic, National Chamber Orchestra of Wales, Virtuosi of London, National Symphony Orchestra, London Soloist’s Chamber Orchestra, Kentish Opera, and Vivaldi Concertante.

Tim pursues a busy career as a session, chamber musician and Music teacher. Tim is a cellist for the Arcosanti String Quartet and Duo. He has worked with various contemporary music groups, and has appeared as a guest soloist on various cruises.

JO HAMPSON-GILBERT - VIOLA/VIOLIN

Jo Hampson-Gilbert began her musical studies at the age of six, and won a full scholarship to study at Trinity College of Music, London.

Jo studied the Viola and Violin under Sophie Langdon, Nic Pendlebury and Richard Crabtree.

As a founder member of the Arcosanti Quartet and Duo, she regularly performs at functions, weddings and undertakes recording work for various independent Record Labels. Jo also performs as a chamber musician with a variety of String Quartets and Ensembles.

Jo pursues a busy career as a musician and a music teacher. She is a qualified teacher and has had experience as a Co-ordinator of Music in the independent sector as well as working for primary schools and music services.

Jo is active in the management and promotion of musicians and is the driving force behind the Arcosanti Quartet and Duo.