Liverpool Philharmonic reveals Emerging Musicians Fellows

Florence Lockheart
Monday, July 3, 2023

For a year, the four musicians will be immersed in the world of the Liverpool Philharmonic, both on and off the stage

Left to right: Double bass player Danny Cleave, trombonist Meggie Murphy, oboist Ewan Millar and clarinettist Méline Le Calvez (Image courtesy of the Liverpool Philharmonic)
Left to right: Double bass player Danny Cleave, trombonist Meggie Murphy, oboist Ewan Millar and clarinettist Méline Le Calvez (Image courtesy of the Liverpool Philharmonic)

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra has today announced the second cohort of musicians joining its Emerging Musicians Fellowship. Double bass player Danny Cleave, trombonist Meggie Murphy, oboist Ewan Millar and clarinettist Méline Le Calvez will be the orchestra’s fellowship musicians for the 2023/24 season.

The four musicians will take part in four residencies spread over the course of a year and will be immersed in the world of the Liverpool Philharmonic, both on and off the stage. Over 270 musicians applied for the scheme which offers early-career musicians immersive professional orchestral experience and is the first paid opportunity of its kind in the North of England.

Principal piccolo and lead musician for the Emerging Musicians Fellowship Sameeta Gahir said: ‘In light of the successful launch of the Emerging Musicians Fellowship last year, this year we were overwhelmed by the sheer number of exceptional applications we received from talented musicians nationwide. The level of skill and dedication displayed by all the applicants was truly remarkable, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of them for their commitment and effort in presenting themselves.’

Launched in December 2021, the Fellowship aims to address some of the challenges faced by early-career orchestral musicians, removing barriers to realising potential and gaining employment. Each Fellowship Musician will be partnered with a mentor and will receive instrument lessons from orchestra members as well as attending rehearsals, performances and work with the orchestra’s Youth Company, and outreach programmes.

Méline Le Calvez, who will finish her studies at the Royal College of Music this summer, said: ‘I am really excited for the year ahead and am looking forward to learning from fantastic and inspiring musicians and to be close to professional orchestra life. It is so precious, in order to develop playing skills and knowledge of the orchestral repertoire for sure, but also to learn more about practical aspects of an orchestral musician’s career or to get experience in sharing music, passion, and joy through diverse educational projects.’