Our Conductor - Peter Longworth

Peter Longworth grew up in Scotland before studying composition at London’s Royal College of Music with Mark-Anthony Turnage, and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Matthew King. Described as “dazzlingly atmospheric” (Glasgow Herald) and “uniquely colorful” (ITG Journal), Peter’s music has been performed throughout Europe and the United Kingdom, as well as in the United States, Canada, and Japan.  Ensembles who have commissioned his work include the London Mozart Players, the Edinburgh Quartet, the Hebrides Ensemble, the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, and the Orchestra of Opera North.  An alumnus of the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s Young Composers Programme and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra’s Composers Hub,  his music has also been workshopped publicly by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, whilst his orchestral piece, In the Golden Shadows of Dawn, was recorded by the Brno Philharmonic for Ablaze Records in 2018.  Upcoming performances include the American premiere of Manhattan Matins - written for, and premiered by, the Wimbledon Community Orchestra - which will be performed by the New Conductors Orchestra in New York City in 2023.

His highlights as a conductor have included giving the premiere performances of Matthew King’s ballet, A Glass Slipper, in Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre; conducting the London Mozart Players as part of their 2016 Christmas concert; and appearing as a guest conductor with Belgium’s ORFEO Kamer Orkest. Since 2018 he has taught at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he is principal conductor of the Guildhall Session Orchestra.

Following several years as a member of the Wimbledon Community Orchestra’s trumpet selection, Peter is immensely proud to be the orchestra’s new musical director.