A native of Southampton, Simon Wilkins studied music at undergraduate and postgraduate level at Royal Holloway, University of London. He continued his instrumental studies under Ben Davis and received tuition in conducting and in composition.
Recent highlights include solo appearances playing Haydn’s C major cello concerto with the Wigston Civic Orchestra, Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme with Winchester Chamber Orchestra, and CPE Bach’s Cello Concerto in A with Chichester Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed in notable venues including Royal Albert Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Hong Kong City Hall, Pisa Duomo and the Liszt Academy, Budapest.
Simon has conducted Chichester Symphony Orchestra since 2018. He also conducts the Solent Concert Orchestra. He works as an instrumental teacher of both cello and piano, teaches music technology and also works as a composer and arranger. As a performer, he plays with the City of Southampton Orchestra and Winchester Symphony Orchestra as well as with other ensembles including the Lovisa Piano Trio. Recent composition projects include a setting of Regina Coeli commissioned by Andover Choral Society and Tierra del Fuego – a symphonic Latin work which he is now revising for Chichester Symphony Orchestra’s July 2026 concert.
As a conductor, Simon’s particular interests are in the music of Sibelius, the application of baroque and classical playing styles to modern orchestras, and in contemporary repertoire suitable for non-professionals. He is committed to the encouragement and development of non-professional musicians of all ages, and the representation of minority voices in classical music.
