Simon Cobcroft most recently held the role of principal cello at the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
Australian cellist Simon Cobcroft has been named the Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s (SSO) new associate principal cello. Cobcroft previously held the role of principal cello at the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO), which he took on in 2014.
He held the positions of associate principal cello of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) from 2012 to 2014 and sub-principal cello with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra from 2003 to 2011. He has also played with orchestras such as London’s Philharmonia Orchestra, the Bournemouth Symphony, Denmark’s Esbjerg Ensemble, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and as guest principal with the Tasmanian and Singapore Symphony Orchestras.
Cobcroft is a graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium in Brisbane and Australian National Academy of Music in Melbourne. During his studies, he learnt from Matthew Farrell, Janis Laurs, Alexander Baillie, David Strange and Michael Goldschlager.
As a chamber musician, he is the founding member of the Lyrebird Trio, with which he won the Piano Trio and Audience prizes at the 2013 Asia Pacific Chamber Music Competition and has held residencies at the Queensland Conservatorium and the Center of the Arts in Banff, Canada. He has also played at various festivals such as those in Aldeburgh and Salzburg.
In 2016, Cobcroft was awarded the Adelaide Critics Circle Prize for his performance of the Elgar Cello Concerto with the ASO and conductor Michael Stern. He also performed the Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto with the orchestra in 2018, and has appeared as soloist with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, QSO, Camerata Queensland, Sydney’s Metropolitan Orchestra and Orchestra Victoria. As an educator, Cobcroft has taught at Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium and the Queensland Conservatorium.
On social media, the SSO said about the appointment: ‘We’re so excited to welcome Simon to Sydney as a permanent member of the Orchestra.’ The SSO cello section’s leadership is also made up of principal cellists Catherine Hewgill and Koari Yamagami, and assistant principal cello Leah Lynn.
Cobcroft plays on an English cello made in 1840 by Thomas Kennedy.
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