Adelaide Symphony Orchestra appoints new concertmaster

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO) has announced the appointment of Kate Suthers to the role of concertmaster, starting from 2023.

Having studied at the Royal Academy of Music, incoming concertmaster and Australian native Suthers has worked with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, as well as Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and Scottish Ensemble. She also leads Artesian Quartet and directed the Scottish Ensemble’s Scottish Creations tour earlier this year.

ASO managing director Vincent Ciccarello, said: ‘Kate’s many strengths as a leader stood out during her music-making with the ASO in 2021. Her ideas about the role of the orchestra, in performance and in the community, are very much aligned with the ASO’s vision.’

Suthers will be joined by violinist Emily Sun who will become the ASO’s 2023 artist in association and composer Jakub Jankowski who will be the orchestra’s inaugural emerging composer in association. Sun and Jankowski will work alongside conductor laureate Nicholas Braithwaite, forming the organisation’s artistic leadership team.

Sun said: ‘To collaborate so closely with the world-class musicians of the ASO throughout the year, and to share our music and performances with the warm and generous audiences in Adelaide is an incredible privilege.’

Adelaide-based Jankowski had his first commission for a professional symphony orchestra premiered by the ASO last year. His experience includes the role of composer in residence at the Tongyeong International Music Festival in SouthKorea and his work has been featured at festivals worldwide from 2014 onwards.

You can find out more about the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra here.