Cellist Jennifer Langridge will assume the role of head of strings chamber music in February 2025
The Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) in Manchester, UK, has announced the appointment of cellist Jennifer Langridge as its new head of strings chamber music.
Langridge is principal cellist of the Northern Chamber Orchestra. She is an alumna of RNCM and took up the position of junior fellow as part of the Nossek Quartet.
She was principal cello of Psappha Ensemble for 30 years until 2023 and was a founding member of Victoria Quartet, performing with the ensemble until 2024.
She was also a member of the BBC Philharmonic for ten years until 2018 and has been a guest principal with orchestras including Opera North, Manchester Camerata, and the Royal Northern Sinfonia.
’It’s a great honour and a big responsibility to take on this role of head of strings chamber music at the RNCM,’ said Langridge.
’It is particularly poignant for me as I began my career here in the 1990s with the Nossek Quartet, under the guidance of Dr Christopher Rowland. There is a long-held legacy at the RNCM of producing extremely fine chamber musicians and I’ll be thrilled to play my part in continuing that tradition.’
She continued: ‘Chamber music is the lifeblood of string players; I hope to keep enthusiasm high, fostering the deep joy of making music together.’
Langridge will join RNCM’s chamber music department which comprises Jeremy Young as head of piano chamber music and violinist Donald Grant of the Elias Quartet. The RNCM chamber music programmes provide a platform for professional chamber musicians to further develope their craft through its Junior Fellowship in Chamber Music and Quartet Studio positions.
The RNCM’s current Junior Fellows are the Paddington Trio, with the Kleio String Quartet taking ownership of the Quartet Studio.
Manus Carey, deputy principal (performance and programmes) said: ‘I’m delighted that Jen will be taking on the role as head of strings chamber music.
’Chamber music forms such an integral part of life at the RNCM, and the wealth of knowledge and experience that she will bring, not only as an educator and performer but as an RNCM graduate as well, will only enhance the student experience and opportunities in this area.’
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