Vicky Jolliffe - violin and viola
Vicky studied violin with Perry Hart at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and played in the National and European Youth Orchestras. She led the Cambridge University Chamber Orchestra and is a member of the Suffolk based Sudbourne ensemble and leads the Ambrose string quartet.
Maxton Pitcher - violin
Max was a Herts County Music Exhibitioner and went on to lead the County Youth Orchestra, Oxford Philharmonia and University Chamber Orchestra during his medical studies. He is a Consultant Gastroenterologist in London and occasional leader of the European Doctors Orchestra. He was featured on National TV and in the press during the COVID-19 pandemic, playing to patients and staff as they recovered from illness and gave live online concerts supported by City of London Sinfonia.
Robert Puzey - viola
Robert Puzey has enjoyed a varied career teaching and freelancing on viola and violin. His teaching
includes work in schools and with adult string players at The City Literary Institute. He has played with and jointly run The Oberon String Quartet for many years and also plays with the Max Bruch Trio. In recent years he has performed concertos on both instruments, as well as working with the Orchestra of St. John's and London Gala Orchestra. He is now incorporating more conducting for courses at the City Lit. and with further amateur groups - Pinner Strings and Primrose Hill Community Orchestra.
Sarah Devonald - recorder
Sarah studied music at the Guildhall School of Music in London and Cambridge University and has played principal oboe in many orchestras and opera companies. She has performed as a soloist in numerous concertos and recitals, and these days concentrates on directing chamber music. After many years making programmes for BBC Radio 3, she co-founded Tandem Productions which is now a successful company. Sarah has stepped back from playing the oboe and will appear as a recorder player only in future programmes.
Joanna West - violin Jo studied music at Clare College, Cambridge and then did a post graduate course at the Royal Academy of Music. She has a varied and busy career performing and teaching; she was a member of the English National Opera Orchestra and is now Principal 2nd Violin in the London Concert Orchestra. She also performs regularly with the City of London Sinfonia and has just finished a season of opera with Holland Park Opera. In her free time she enjoys gardening and has recently taken on a rather large allotment, with varying degrees of success!
Paul Morris - viola
A native of Cornwall, Paul Morris has played in a wide range of orchestras and chamber groups for many years. He has recently returned to live in Cornwall and is relishing the opportunities for performing and studying in the West Country. Paul will make his Harmoniemusik debut at the 2025 St Columb concert series 'Classic Cornwall' and is looking forward to playing the Louise Farrenc quintet in the Penzance festival.
Stuart Riley - Double Bass - is an Anglo/Australian bass player. Born in Manchester he recently retired as Principal Bass with Orchestra Victoria in Melbourne. In Australia Stuart has worked with the Sydney, Melbourne and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Goldner String Quartet, Firebird Trio and the Australia Ensemble. Recent solo engagements in Melbourne include the International Bass Day and Melbourne Digital Concert Hall. In the UK he has worked with the Halle, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Scottish Ensemble, Northern Chamber Orchestra, Opera North, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Welsh National Opera. Chamber music is his true passion.