Sinfonia Viva leader stepping down to focus on solo career

Violinist Sophie Rosa will step down as leader of East Midlands’ Sinfonia Viva at the end of the 2021/22 season in order to focus on her solo career.

Appointed orchestra leader in 2019, Rosa will remain in post until summer 2022. She has performed with Sinfonia Viva both on stage and in a series of virtual concerts throughout the pandemic.

Rosa said: ‘The Orchestra makes a huge difference to communities across the East Midlands with their fantastic concerts alongside outstanding education programmes and creative projects. I know that this will continue for years to come and I am delighted that Lucy Galliard will be taking on the role of chief executive to lead Sinfonia Viva into its next exciting chapter.’

Lucy Galliard joins Sinfonia Viva as chief executive this month from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, where she was responsible for the orchestra’s symphonic choruses, youth orchestra and outreach programmes.

Founded in 1982, Sinfonia Viva is a Derby-based charity and orchestra that works to bring its wider range of music to the widest possible audience through performances across the UK and on radio as well as through BSL interpretation, hearing loops, sensory equipment and multimedia performances.

Sinfonia Viva chair of trustees Tony Davis said: ‘We wish [Sophie] every success in the future and hope that she will return to perform with us on stage in the not too distant future. The recruitment process for Sophie’s successor will start in the New Year.’

You can find out more about Sinfonia Viva here.