William Stafford

William Stafford was born in Doncaster in 1985 and spent the first eight or so years of his life growing up in Nottinghamshire.  He then moved to Lancashire where he attended Clitheroe Royal Grammar School.  Deciding not to take up the offer of an organ scholarship to University College, Oxford, he instead went to Manchester where he studied both at the University and Royal Northern College of Music.  In 2008 he was awarded the RNCM’s Gold Medal (the college’s highest award for performance), before moving to London where he studied for one year as a postgraduate at the Royal College of Music (2008-2009).  Since leaving college, William has remained in London and enjoyed a varied freelance career, making, amongst other things, guest principal appearances with the LSO, RPO, RPCO, ENO, BBC Philharmonic, RLPO, Northern Sinfonia and Ulster Orchestra.

An active chamber musician, William has given numerous concerts at music clubs across the UK as part of the Countess of Munster Recital Scheme.  The Eidos Trio, with whom he plays regularly, will make its second appearance at the Wigmore Hall in January 2012.  William is very grateful to have received scholarships from the RCM, Countess of Munster Musical Trust, the Musicians’ Benevolent Fund and the Martin Musical Scholarship Fund.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the SCO!  Throughout my trial period, I have been constantly impressed by the quality and sensitivity of the playing, and look forward with great eagerness to being able to contribute to the music making of this amazing orchestra as a permanent member.”