The 26-year-old Sydneysider was selected for the position following a rigorous audition process.

The Sydney Symphony Orchestra has announced the appointment of 26-year-old, Sydneysider Toby Thatcher as its new Assistant Conductor. The news comes just one day after the announcement that 29-year-old Nicholas Carter, the newly appointed Principal Conductor of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and former SSO Assistant Conductor, is to become the first Australian maestro to lead a State Symphony Orchestra in almost 30 years.

Thatcher, who is currently based in London, was one of five handpicked international applicants selected for the rigorous audition process. Thatcher will take over the role from the current incumbent, Jessica Cottis, who has been SSO Assistant Conductor since 2012. In addition to being closely mentored by SSO Chief Conductor David Robertson, Thatcher will also have the opportunity to work with the Orchestra’s many visiting guest conductors, and will conduct the orchestra on their regional NSW tour next month.

Toby Thatcher

As well as being a conductor, Thatcher is a skilled oboist, having studied both disciplines at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and then at postgraduate level at the Royal Academy of Music in London.  In his new capacity as SSO Assistant Conductor he will no doubt draw on his first hand experience of working with one of the world’s elite symphony orchestras, having held the position of Principal Cor Anglais with the UK’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for the past two year. As a conductor, Thatcher’s credentials are equally impressive, recently taking third prize at the highly prestigious Georg Solti International Conducting Competition last month. Previous conducting credits include performances with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra.

Thatcher shared his joy at being selected for the coveted appointment. “My first reaction to learning I had been selected as the SSO’s Assistant Conductor was one of utter shock and delight. I have grown up watching SSO concerts and rehearsals, and to now have the opportunity to work with the Orchestra first-hand is truly thrilling,” he said.  “I’m looking forward to working with David Robertson, who is a prominent figure in today’s music world and known for not only his audacious programming, but his wit and intelligence. I can’t wait to get started!”

SSO Chief Conductor Robertson was equally effusive about the exciting new addition to the orchestra. “Toby showed us he is ready to embark on the next stage of his career, displaying excellent conducting technique, authority and musicality in what can only be described as a highly impressive audition out of a particularly strong field of candidates,” maestro Robertson said.