As we approach the beginning of our 2025-26 Season, we will be welcoming some new faces in the orchestra as well as saying farewell to some players too.

Isobel Doncaster, Tutti Viola

Isobel grew up in Hertfordshire, starting on violin before changing to viola under the guidance of her first teacher Vanessa Gaidoni. She benefited from many local and national youth music schemes, such as National Children's Orchestra, Aldeburgh Young Musicians and Hertfordshire County Youth Orchestra. She went on to study viola at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, learning with Matthew Jones (undergraduate) and Gary Pomeroy (postgraduate), graduating in 2024.

She has played with a variety of ensembles, such as Manchester Camerata, Britten Sinfonia, Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and Fantasia Orchestra. She is a confident session musician, having recorded on both viola and voice at studios such as BBC Maida Vale, Air Studios in Hampstead, Air Edel Studios in Marylebone and RAK Studios in St Johns Wood.

She teaches on both violin and viola and is a passionate workshop leader, having worked with music education organisations such as Aldeburgh Young Musicians and Stapleford Granary to provide workshops for a range of musical abilities and ages.

In her spare time, Isobel likes to read, write songs and do cryptic crosswords.

Daniel Vassallo, Tutti Double Bass

Born and bred in Birmingham, at the age of 7 Danny took up the double bass like his grandfather. Growing up, he progressed through the Birmingham music service ensembles until he went to music college. Danny studied at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Royal Northern College of Music and the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München. For many years, Danny was a member of The CBSO Youth Orchestra and then went on to join The European Union Youth Orchestra and whilst studying, he began his freelance career in orchestras all over the UK. Danny has an enduring relationship with The CBSO, from learning with Charles Wall (ex-member) and watching concerts, to going to orchestra barbecues.

Outside of classical music, Danny especially enjoys playing other genres of music and tearing it up on a football pitch!!

During our 2024-25 Season, we also welcomed Daniel Trodden as our Principal Tuba, who joined us from the Mahler 9 concert in April. CBSO violist David BaMaung also began his new position as Principal Viola No. 3 last season.

We said farewell this summer to our Section Leader Trumpet, Jason Lewis.

After three incredible years with the orchestra, we sat down with Jason to reflect on his time in the orchestra and some of his favourite moments since joining the CBSO in 2022. Watch the video here.

Jason's last concert with us was at the BBC Proms in August. We'd like to thank Jason for his warm and friendly contribution to the orchestra over the last few years and wish him & his family all the best for their future in Scotland.