Clement Pickering takes up the role as section principal viola from September 2025
Photo credit: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Violist Clement Pickering
The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) has appointed British violist Clement Pickering as its new section principal viola. Pickering assumes the role from September 2025.
Pickering completed his undergraduate studies with first class honours at London’s Royal Academy of Music, where he studied with Martin Outram, followed by as master’s degree at the Royal College of Music, under the tutelage of Andriy Viytovych and Simon Rowland-Jones. He has also studied with Jacky Woods, Jonathan Barritt and Amelie Roussel.
As a freelance musician, Pickering has performed with the Sinfonia of London under John Wilson, the Aurora Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House. He served as co-principal viola with the orchestra of Les Arts Valencia at the invitation of his former teacher Viytovych, where he played for the majority of the six months leading up to his trial with the BSO.
Pickering has performed at the Newbury Spring Festival and Menuhin Hall as part of chamber music concerts for early-career professionals organised by Maiastra. He has also performed in venues such as Wigmore Hall, Royal Albert Hall, the Barbican Centre, Royal Festival Hall and more.
He plays on a viola which was made in c.1750, which he affectionately calls ‘Lionel’. His bow is an E.A. Ouchard on loan from the Aidan Woodcock Charitable Trust.
’I’m absolutely delighted to be joining the BSO - it has such a rich history, and to be a small part of that is so exciting,’ Pickering said in an interview with the BSO.
’The whole Orchestra and BSO team have been so welcoming and supportive throughout my trial, and I couldn’t be happier to join this stellar viola section.
’It is such a multi-faceted orchestra, and I love how I’ll be able to spend some time each year playing opera at the Grange Festival, as well as the symphonic works which I love so much.’
No comments yet