/Sheffield Chamber Orchestra Welcomes Gina Hazell as Guest Conductor for New Voices Concert
– Gina Hazell appointed as Guest Conductor for Sheffield Chamber Orchestra’s New Voices concert on December 5, 2026.
– Hazell, a London native, brings a wealth of experience in symphonic, operatic, and choral repertoire.
– The concert features works by Mendelssohn, Dvořák, Handel, and Farrenc, promising a rich musical experience.
– Chairman Julie Ryan expresses excitement about collaborating with the next generation of musical talent.
The Sheffield Chamber Orchestra has announced the appointment of Gina Hazell as Guest Conductor for its upcoming New Voices concert scheduled for Saturday, December 5, 2026. Hazell, a conductor and performer originally from London, is set to bring her diverse experience in symphonic, operatic, and choral repertoire to Sheffield, with expectations of a captivating evening of music.
Hazell’s musical journey began as a saxophonist, after which she honed her conducting skills at the University of Manchester. She has benefited from mentorship under renowned conductors, including Alice Farnham, Peter Stark, and Agata Zajac. In 2024, she was selected for the Royal Academy of Music’s Glover-Edwards Conducting Programme, under the guidance of Sian Edwards.
Among her recent accomplishments, Hazell has served as Musical Director of the Hale Light Orchestra and Guest Assistant Conductor with Stockport Symphony Orchestra. In 2026, she was appointed Musical Director of Poynton Opera Society and continues her work as a freelance guest conductor with various ensembles across Manchester and the North of England. Additionally, she has a strong background in working with young musicians, including a role as a tutor and conductor with the Warrington Youth Orchestra.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Sheffield Chamber Orchestra for this concert,” said Hazell. “It’s a wonderfully varied programme, bringing together four composers with such distinctive voices, from the youthful brilliance of Mendelssohn and the folk-inspired colours of Dvořák to Handel’s elegance and the extraordinary musical imagination of Louise Farrenc.”
She added, “I’m particularly excited to work with the orchestra on Farrenc’s First Symphony. Her music deserves to be heard much more widely, and I hope audiences will enjoy discovering it alongside these much-loved works.”
Julie Ryan, Chair of Sheffield Chamber Orchestra, echoed Hazell’s enthusiasm, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Gina Hazell to Sheffield Chamber Orchestra. Gina represents the exciting new generation of musical leadership, and we are looking forward to working with her and hearing the fresh perspective she brings to this wonderful programme.”
Ryan highlighted the richness of the concert’s program: “Our December concert is a particularly rich one. It combines the magical sound-world of Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Dvořák’s warmth and energy, Handel’s Baroque elegance, and the power and originality of Louise Farrenc. We hope audiences will join us for what promises to be a very special evening.”
The concert will open with Felix Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture, composed when the composer was just 17. This piece captures the whimsical essence of Shakespeare’s characters through its enchanting orchestration.
Following this, the program will feature Antonín Dvořák’s Czech Suite in D major, showcasing the rich musical traditions of Bohemia through varied and lively movements that spotlight the composer’s gift for melody.
Also included is George Frideric Handel’s Concerto Grosso in B-flat major, Op. 6 No. 7, which invites listeners into an elegant musical dialogue between the full ensemble and a select group of soloists.
The evening will conclude with Louise Farrenc’s Symphony No. 1 in C minor, a work that melds Beethoven’s influence with Farrenc’s unique melodic voice, highlighting her significant contributions to 19th-century French music.
Ryan expressed the orchestra’s commitment to blending expertise with rising musical talents: “We want Sheffield Chamber Orchestra to be an orchestra that combines the experience of our players with new ideas, new perspectives, and opportunities for emerging musical talent. Welcoming Gina is very much part of that ambition.”
She reiterated the concert’s accessibility: “This is also a programme with something for everyone: the sheer magic of Mendelssohn, the dance and colour of Dvořák, Handel’s elegance, and the discovery of Farrenc. It will be a wonderful way to begin the festive season.”
The programme for the evening features:
Felix Mendelssohn
A Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture
Antonín Dvořák
Czech Suite in D major
George Frideric Handel
Concerto Grosso in B-flat major, Op. 6 No. 7
Louise Farrenc
Symphony No. 1 in C minor
Concert details are as follows:
Location: All Saints Church Ecclesall
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026, at 7:30 pm
Tickets
