Meet the Committee for 2020 - 2021:
Malin Dekas
President
Violin
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Third Year
What does your role involve? I am responsible for everything that happens in Sinfonietta, from running the committee and orchestra to hiring conductors to auditioning. I also represent the society to the Student Union, University Music Department and to our local community.
Favourite moment in Sinfonietta? My favourite moment took place during my first year when Sinfonietta went on tour to Barcelona. I’d never had so much fun with my friends before, and it was so good to get to know and bond with everyone in the orchestra!
What are you looking forward to this year? I can’t wait to perform all the great music we’ve got planned, as well as meet all our new joiners and go on tour!
What does your role involve? As VP, I’ll be helping Malin with the organisation and administration of the orchestra. I will also be organising the Friends Scheme and will be the designated welfare officer to make sure everyone in the orchestra is happy!
Favourite moment in Sinfonietta? I’ve loved getting to know everyone in Sinfonietta over the last two years and really enjoyed being Social Secretary last year. One of my favourite moments from last year was in the Spring concert – playing Appalachian Spring and the opening clarinet solo in Sibelius’ Symphony No. 1.
What are you looking forward to this year? I’m really looking forward to being on committee again as VP. I can’t wait to play lots of new music and go on tour!
Emma Johnson
Vice President & Secretary
Clarinet
Music Third Year
Beth Jolley
Treasurer
Flute
Physics Fourth Year
What does your role involve? As treasurer I’ll be looking after all of Sinfonietta’s finances. This means creating budgets and monitoring both our income and expenses. I’m also involved with starting to gather external funding for the orchestra such as sponsorship deals with local businesses.
Favourite moment in Sinfonietta? Bring part of Sinf has been one of my favourite parts of my entire Southampton experience over the last three years. Playing incredible music, learning from amazing professional conductors, going on tour to new places with some of my now best friends. I absolutely love the society and I don’t think I could possibly pick just one moment.
What are you looking forward to this year? I’m really looking forward to playing exciting repertoire and growing as an orchestra again this year. I also cannot wait to meet new people and just have lots of fun!
What does your role involve? I am in charge of getting all the music scores to the orchestra. This involves liaising with local music libraries to purchase and hire everything we play.
Favourite moment in Sinfonietta? Joining Sinfonietta has been so enjoyable, especially because it has such a lovely community. Everyone is approachable and it is a great experience being part of the orchestra.
What are you looking forward to this year? I am really looking forward to having great repertoire for our concerts next year.
Nicholas Khor
Librarian
Violin
Mechanical Engineering Fourth Year
Carol Leader
Publicity Officer & Tour Secretary
Flute
Biomedical Sciences Second Year
What does your role involve? Being Publicity Officer allows me to keep everyone updated about our upcoming concerts, rehearsals, and other events through our social media pages and our website – I also design our programmes for concerts, so follow us on all our socials, and come along to our concerts to see what I’m up to! I’m also one half of the Tour Secretary team – I work alongside Rosie to organise our annual joint tour for Sinfonietta and our Symphonic Wind Orchestra to a city in Europe!
Favourite moment in Sinfonietta? One of my favourite moments in Sinfonietta actually took place outside of rehearsal time – it was when we went ice skating for a social event. I really felt like I bonded so much with everyone in the group; after all, nothing bonds you more than everyone helping you back on your feet after you fall over three seconds after stepping onto the rink!
What are you looking forward to this year? Next year, I’m really looking forward to meeting the new members to the orchestra and welcoming them in like everyone had done for me. There’s such a familial feel to the group and I’ve found some of my closest friends through Sinfonietta.
What does your role involve? My role involves organising a variety of socials for everyone to come to and organising the annual Christmas Ball! I also help to integrate the new members into the orchestra.
Favourite moment in Sinfonietta? My favourite moment so far in Sinfonietta was playing Appalachian Spring by Copland, it’s a fantastic piece and the orchestra played amazingly.
What are you looking forward to this year? I’m looking forward to meeting the new members who will be joining in September, playing more great music, and going on tour next year!
Charlie Mann
Social Secretary
French Horn
Music Third Year
Will Shirras
Social Secretary
Oboe & Viola
Chemistry Second Year
What does your role involve? I organise socials throughout the year and make sure everyone is well integrated within the orchestra. I try to create a friendly environment where everyone feels welcome and enjoys themselves.
Favourite moment in Sinfonietta? Bizet’s Carmen Suite No. 1 was my highlight of the last year, as it contains lots of beautiful oboe solos which I was lucky enough to play.
What are you looking forward to this year? Playing more great repertoire in a high quality orchestra and meeting the new members of the society.
What does your role involve? I’m teamed up with Carol to organise a fabulous tour for the orchestra that will take place next year.
Favourite moment in Sinfonietta? One of my favourite moments of Sinfonietta has got to be when we managed to create a fantastic concert in 4-5 rehearsals; it was stressful but the outcome was worth it, it was definitely a good concert. The endless laughter and support of the orchestra members will also always be my favourite parts of Sinfonietta and I cannot wait to get back into it next year.
What are you looking forward to this year? Next year we have a lot of exciting things planned, and Carol and I are especially excited for the tour as it will be both our first tours as this year’s sadly got cancelled. Tour, I’ve been told, is the highlight of the year, so to be able to plan one is super exciting.
Rosie Waddington
Tour Secretary
Violin
Music Second Year