Our Members

The Quartet was formed in 1989. Current members:

1^st Violin:

Gillian M Tolliday

2^nd Violin:

Pip James

Viola:

Christopher PK Smithies

Violoncello:

József Koós

Supplementary members:

Deputy Leader

Brian Johnston

2^nd Violin/Viola:

Nuala Land

2^nd 'Cello:

Christopher Magnus

Gillian Tolliday

Gill graduated in music at Southampton University and obtained her violin diploma at Trinity College, London. A valued member of many orchestral and chamber ensembles, until recently she was head of string tuition and Professional Team Leader at the CODA Music Trust. Her accomplishments also extend to folk and jazz, and she leads the Swing 39 gypsy jazz quartet.

Pip James

Pip graduated in music at Nottingham University, started teaching, but later switched to a playing career with the late lamented Bournemouth Sinfonietta. With three other members of the Sinfonietta he helped form the Regis Quartet in 1974, fitting quartet concerts around the orchestral schedules until disbandment in 1999. Since taking early retirement in 1998, he has played violin and viola in equal measure.

Christopher Smithies

Christopher is almost certainly the world's youngest second-generation pupil of the renowned Otakar Ševčík (violin professor at the Prague Conservatoire 1892-1921). He works in the computer industry. His viola and bow are the work of gifted local craftsmen.

József Koós

József moved to the UK from his native Hungary in 1957, and studied 'cello with William Pleeth at the Guildhall School of Music, and with Paul Tortelier in Paris. He played with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and, from 1969 to 1994, was principal 'cellist with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Joseph also plays with the Palm Court Theatre Orchestra, the Stromenti String Quartet and several other chamber groups. He frequently coaches for the National Children's Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra.

Brian Johnston

Brian occasionally leads the quartet when Our Glorious Leader is unavoidably detained elsewhere. He studied at the Royal Academy under Winifred Small and Sidney Humphries, both pupils of Hans Wessely, himself in turn a pupil of Joseph Joachim.

After seven glorious years with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra under Constantin Silvestri, Brian was a founder member of the late lamented Bournemouth Sinfonietta. He still plays with the BSO from time to time, and gives regular talks to local and national music groups such as the Elgar Society.

Nuala Land

Nuala has often played with the Grainger Quartet, both as 2^nd violin and as more recently as viola in our Quintet. She was born in Ireland. She obtained her diploma at Portsmouth University. A professional violin teacher, she plays regularly in many orchestras and ensembles in the South of England.

Christopher Magnus

Winner of the 1967 London City Livery Prize, Chris joined the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in 1969 and was subsequently brought into the Sinfonietta as sub-principal 'cello. Chris has extensive experience in the field of chamber music: as 'cellist of the Regis quartet, he attended master classes by the world famous Amadeus Quartet, and now plays regularly with the Intermezzo quartet.

Voyez les biographies traduites en français