Neil Sild

Biography

 

Neil started to play the cello at the age of seven and his passion for the instrument, as well as music, has continued to grow, particularly since attending Sage Gateshead where he was very fortunate to have tutors such as Nick Byrne, Rosie Walton, Louisa Tuck and James Craig.

 

Having attended the Sage's Centre of Advanced training every weekend for four years, Neil studied theory, aural perception and cello performance. Neil also takes part in chamber ensemble workshops coached by members of the Royal Northern Sinfonia, Trio Gaspard and the Elias Quartet. He has performed one of the virtuosic solo parts for Vivaldi's double cello concerto Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C major and Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor (performed at the reopening of Middlesbrough Town Hall) and have toured the UK and Germany. He has performed in concerts with NYOS and Solingen Youth Orchestra, and his undergraduate years at RNCM gained a place in the Symphony orchestra. The Hillon Trio, in which Neil is the cellist, regularly rehearse and perform chamber music, both competitively and in concert.

 

Masterclasses taken by Cellists such as Ralph Kirshbaum, Natalie Klein and Harriet Krijgh provide expert tuition and inspiration towards Neil’s career and overall musicianship.

 

His orchestral playing began in a local junior ensemble and continued when he was accepted to play in Stringendo, followed by Young Sinfonia, at Sage Gateshead. Neil has played in venues such as Birmingham Symphony Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, and Sage One as a soloist and orchestral player. His passion for performance comes not only from the love of playing but also attending concerts and opera; such as attending performances by the Royal Northern Sinfonia, the BBC Philharmonic, the Halle Symphony Orchestra, local and international Chamber groups, and Opera North.