Biography
John Bass was born in Cambridge and started violin lessons at the age of six, before transferring to the viola at the age of ten. He played in the Cambridgeshire County Youth Orchestra as sub-principal and principal, and the National Children's Orchestra, rising to principal viola. At the age of 14 he successfully auditioned for the National Youth Orchestra, and performed at the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall and Barbican Centre in London as well as other venues around the UK.

John continued his musical studies at The Royal Academy of Music, studying with John White, Stephen Shingles and taking part in masterclasses with Emanuel Vardi. He played in several of the college orchestras as principal and co-principal viola. Apart from his orchestral playing, John was also very much involved in chamber music, and was awarded high commendations in a number of chamber music competitions.

After graduating from the Royal Academy of Music with a Performers Certificate and LRAM, John freelanced as a performer, playing with many orchestras and chamber groups. These included the Haverhill Sinfonia, Bedford Sinfonia, Northampton Symphony Orchestra and the New Queens Hall Orchestra. During that period John went on trial with the Ulster Orchestra. He was invited to perform various concertos with several orchestras in his home town of Cambridge. These included concertos by Telemann and Stamitz, as well as playing and directing the orchestra in Hindemith's Trauermusik in a memorial concert.

In 1999 John was a founder member of Ariella Strings, a group of local professional musicians performing chamber concerts around the midlands and East Anglia. Ariella Strings are also involved in education and outreach, regularly giving workshops and working within the community and in schools and colleges.

In 2003 John went to South Africa to work with the KwaZulu Natal Philharmonic orchestra. On returning to the UK he continued freelancing with many orchestras such as the Croydon Symphony Orchestra, Christ the Cornerstone Chamber Orchestra, The Orchestra of Stowe Opera, The Milton Keynes City Orchestra, Northern Ballet Theatre Orchestra and Midsummer Music.

Orchestral Work
Orchestras: Milton Keynes City Orchestra, Northern Ballet Theatre, Stowe Opera, Watford Philharmonic.

John's orchestral work also includes Ulster Orchestra, Cambridge Sinfonia (principal viola), Cornerstone Chamber Orchestra (Principal viola), Stowe Opera Orchestra (Principal viola), Haverhill Sinfonia, Croydon Symphony Orchestra, Northampton Symphony Orchestra, Bedford Sinfonia, Milton Keynes City Orchestra, New Queens Hall Orchestra, Northern Ballet Theatre Orchestra, KwaZulu Natal Philharmonic Orchestra.

John's chamber music experience includes Granta String Quartet, Kingfisher String Quartet, Sensky Trio, Ariella Strings, and Howard Stromenti Flute Quartet.

Education
John's schooling took place at Long Road Sixth Form College (1982-84) John's graduate studies took place at Royal Academy of Music (1984-88)

Teachers: John White, Stephen Shingles, Howard Davis, Stephen Tees, and Judy Bryan.

John's web links
www.ariellastrings.co.uk

John joined Morgensterns in October 2007

John's web profile was last updated 19th Jul 2008