Vaughan Alumnus Makes BBC Proms Debut

Published Tuesday 13 August 2024

Photo credit: Chris Christodoulou

On Sunday 4 August, Vaughan alumnus, Tom Fetherstonhaugh (OV 2011-2016), made his BBC Proms debut with two concerts at the Royal Albert Hall conducting the Fantasia Orchestra. Founded in 2016 by Tom, the 28-piece Fantasia Orchestra is formed of some of the country's most exciting young musicians. 

"Our early years were a way of getting friends together to play wonderful orchestral music,"  Tom said in an interview with Classical Music UK. "I was extremely fortunate to attend a school with an amazing music department: Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School. It is a state comprehensive that really values music, and instils a love of singing and playing in so many children."

During his time at the Vaughan, Tom sang the treble solo in Paul Mealor’s Ubi Caritas at the royal wedding in 2011, a piece that had been written especially for the service of the now Prince and Princess of Wales. Tom also composed the 2013 Financial Times carol, a piece of music set to the words of William Chatterton Dix’s “What Child is This?” 

Tom with the Westminster Abbey Choir at the royal wedding (left) and Scott Price, Director of Music, Iestyn Evans, School Organist, and the Schola Cantorum (right)

Mr Price, Director of Music, commented: "When Tom was at the Vaughan I used to joke that he had to be sure to invite me to his first Prom Concert. I didn’t imagine it would be quite this soon! Many congratulations, Tom."

Tom and the Fantasia Orchestra held two concerts at the BBC Proms (Prom 20, and Prom 22 - Relaxed Performance). They were joined by long-time Fantasia collaborators, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Braimah Kanneh-Mason and Plínio Fernandes.‍ Listen now on BBC Sounds or watch the TV broadcast on BBC 4 here.

Congratulations to Tom and the Fantasia Orchestra for an extraordinary concert. We wish you all the very best for your next endeavours.

Photo credit: Chris Christodoulou