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Britten Sinfonia has announced the appointment of violinist Zoë Beyers as its new leader. Beyers will replace Jacqueline Shave and Thomas Gould, who shared the role for over a decade.
Beyers’ association with Britten Sinfonia began over 20 years ago when she was a frequent guest in then-leader Shave’s first violin section. In the past year, she has worked regularly with the orchestra as leader and director for a Pärt-Shostakovich tour and as soloist in Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending.
Beyers’ first concerts as leader take place this August at the BBC Proms in Bristol Beacon on 23 August and Snape Maltings Concert Hall on 27 August, where she will direct and lead Britten Sinfonia in music by Sibelius, Arvo Pärt, Gavin Higgins and Mozart. She then returns for several further performances in early 2026, before taking on the role fully for the 2026/7 season.
Beyers will continue to serve as leader of the BBC Philharmonic in addition to her new role at Britten Sinfonia. She will lead the orchestra in conducted projects, to direct the orchestra in unconducted projects, and take on the role of soloist and chamber musician. Britten Sinfonia will also continue to collaborate with a range of guest directors, including former co-leader Shave.
Beyers said she was ‘delighted’ to be joining the ensemble as leader. ’I’ve felt a special affinity with this brilliant group of players since Jackie [Shave] first introduced me to them when I was fresh out of music college,’ she said.
’The orchestra’s adventurous spirit, dedication to new music and deep chamber music sensibility make it a very inspiring place to work. I’m really looking forward to this next chapter together.’
After 20 years with Britten Sinfonia, Thomas Gould will step down following concerts in October 2025. He said: ’Working with Britten Sinfonia for the last two decades has been one of the great privileges of my career. The creativity, camaraderie and sheer musical energy of this orchestra are unmatched. I know Zoë will bring something very special to the role and I wish her the very best.’
Meurig Bowen, Britten Sinfonia’s chief executive and artistic director, added: “Zoë is an exceptional violinist, a thoughtful and expressive musician, and has a warmth and collaborative spirit that takes everyone along with her. She has established a strong rapport with our players in recent months, and I’m thrilled she is taking on this new role.
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