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The Executive CommitteE 2024/25

The executive committee is the team that is responsible for keeping DUOS running smoothly. They work tirelessly to make sure that all members of the orchestra can perform to their best and enjoy themselves as well. Find out who they are and what they do here...

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NAME: Matthew Madeley (he/him)

ROLE: President

INSTRUMENT: Violin

DEGREE: Music and Philosophy

COLLEGE: St Cuthbert's Society

WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? I am responsible for the smooth running of the society and steering the society's vision for the year ahead. Practically, this involves chairing the Executive Committee, sitting on audition panels, and liaising with Music Durham, the University, and further afield to give members of DUOS unforgettable experiences.

FAVOURITE MOMENT IN DUOS? Being able to take DUOS back to the Sage Gateshead and develop a working partnership with one of the leading music venues in the Northeast. Being able to hear the orchestra perform fantastic symphonic works in full force in the Sage once again was unforgettable.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? Seeing what new and exciting projects lie ahead for the society...

FAVOURITE PIECE OF CLASSICAL MUSIC: Currently Dvorak's Serenade for Strings

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NAME: Jay Boyd (he/him)

ROLE: Vice-President

INSTRUMENT: Viola 

DEGREE: Music and Philosophy 

COLLEGE: St Mary's

WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? Assisting the president with any tasks, co-ordinating masterclasses, and making sure all necessary logistics are managed for concerts.

FAVOURITE MOMENT IN DUOS? Being voted “looks the most bored in rehearsals” at the DUOS ball.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? Helping build a list of reliable professional conductors and instrumentalists to help DUOS throughout the year.

FAVOURITE PIECE OF CLASSICAL MUSIC: Bruckner’s 8th Symphony movement 4 (at the moment!!)

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NAME: Emily Fox (she/her)

ROLE: Secretary

INSTRUMENT: Flute

DEGREE: Music

COLLEGE: Collingwood

WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? Organising stash, putting together the concert programmes, and sending out the weekly(-ish) newsletter.

FAVOURITE MOMENT IN DUOS? Playing in the Sage Gateshead in June 2021 after having not performed in over a year was absolutely amazing!

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? More socials and playing some more beautiful rep!

FAVOURITE PIECE OF CLASSICAL MUSIC: Saint-Saëns Symphony No.3

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NAME: Germanine Au (she/her)

ROLE: Treasurer

INSTRUMENT: Violin

DEGREE: Music

COLLEGE: Grey

WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? keeping scores of income and expenditure, making budget estimates, collecting subs, approving DUOS expenditure and more!

FAVOURITE MOMENT IN DUOS? When we played our Easter term concert last year at the Sage, it was really epic!

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? Helping DUOS organise and bring to life some really exciting plans we have for 2022-23!

FAVOURITE PIECE OF CLASSICAL MUSIC: Probably Dvorak Violin Concerto, or Beethoven Violin Concerto. Somehow I just keep coming back to them.

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NAME: Rosie Allen (she/her)

EMAIL: cfjn95@durham.ac.uk

ROLE: Librarian

INSTRUMENT: Cello

DEGREE: Environmental Geoscience 

COLLEGE: St John's

WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? Obtaining music for each term's repertoire, creating practice parts and organising external music hires from the DUOS library

FAVOURITE MOMENT IN DUOS? Performing Mozart's Requiem in Durham Cathedral... a magical core memory!

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? Biscuits in the rehearsal break!

FAVOURITE PIECE OF CLASSICAL MUSIC: Hard to choose just one but I'd say Sibelius' fifth symphony would be an all time favourite

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NAME: Robbie Jansen (he/him)

ROLE: Publicity Officer

INSTRUMENT: Clarinet

DEGREE: Modern Languages and Cultures

COLLEGE: Hatfield

WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? promoting DUOS across social media, updating and designing the website, as well as creating posters and selling tickets for upcoming concerts. 

FAVOURITE MOMENT IN DUOS? Being able to perform in some amazing venues in both Durham and Gateshead

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? Hopefully going on tour sometime soon!!!

FAVOURITE PIECE OF CLASSICAL MUSIC: Stravinsky's Petrushka

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NAME:Penny Cainey-Leeming (she/her)

ROLE: Sponsorship Secretary

INSTRUMENT: Flute

DEGREE: English Literature

COLLEGE: Van Mildert

WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? Getting funding for the orchestra

FAVOURITE MOMENT IN DUOS? Emily and my drunk rendition of Love is an Open Door at the DUOS ball

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? catching up on the all the flute section’s gossip from over the holidays.

FAVOURITE PIECE OF CLASSICAL MUSIC: Any Shost symphony

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NAME:  Chloe Stiens (she/her)

ROLE: Patrons and Alumni Secretary

INSTRUMENT: Harp

DEGREE: Liberal Arts

COLLEGE: Trevelyan

WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? Keeping our patrons and alumni updated on what we have going on, working to get more patrons and organising a drinks reception before each concert

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? Getting a chance to play with such amazing people for another year

FAVOURITE PIECE OF CLASSICAL MUSIC: Debussy 'La Mer'

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NAME: Mollie Green (she/her)

ROLE: Concert Manager

INSTRUMENT: Flute

DEGREE: Geography

COLLEGE: Josephine Butler

WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? organising the booking of venues, staging, lighting and instruments for concerts, and also creating a concert plan to make sure everything is under control and everyone is where they need to be on concert day!

FAVOURITE MOMENT IN DUOS? Playing some incredible rep in venues such as Sage, Gateshead and Durham Cathedral!

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? Putting on some more fantastic concerts, socials, and tour(???)

FAVOURITE PIECE OF CLASSICAL MUSIC: Bruckner Symphony No.8

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NAME: Catherine Howells (she/her)

ROLE: Social Secretary 

INSTRUMENT: Cello

DEGREE: Economics and Politics

COLLEGE: Van Mildert

WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? Organising reliable Deps for orchestra rehearsals and concerts, establishing working relationships with professionals for masterclasses throughout the year and for DUOS week.

FAVOURITE MOMENT IN DUOS? DUOS ball

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? Putting on more concerts!!

FAVOURITE PIECE OF CLASSICAL MUSIC: Mendelssohn Octet

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NAME: Benjamin Mehta (he/him)

ROLE: Co-President

INSTRUMENT: Violin

DEGREE: Engineering

COLLEGE: St Chad's

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WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? 

Basically ensuring the smooth running of the society, and creating the most friendly and fun experience for members possible. The role involves organising concerts, working closely with Music Durham, chairing audition panels and make sure everyone has an amazing experience as a member of DUOS!

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WHY DUOS?

DUOS provides people with unforgettable experiences, being able to play challenging and exciting repertoire with like-minded and talented musicians in the most prestigious venues.

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FAVOURITE DUOS MOMENT: 

Playing the final cords of Beethoven 9 in the Cathedral this year (probably my second favourite piece of music).

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NAME: Daniel Rix (he/him)

ROLE: Co-President

INSTRUMENT: Violin

DEGREE: Engineering 

COLLEGE: St John's

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WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? 

Running the orchestra with Benjamin, Luke and all the exec and planning some amazing concerts.

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WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? 

Having a chance to shape the orchestra, play some of my favourite rep and hopefully organise a great time for all involved.

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FAVOURITE PIECE OF CLASSICAL MUSIC:

Tschaikovsky's Pathetique

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NAME: Luke Owlett (he/him)

ROLE: Vice President

INSTRUMENT: Oboe

DEGREE: Chemistry

COLLEGE: Grey 

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WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? 

Assisting our presidents in their role, moving percussion, and most importantly, organising DUOS week!!

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WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE DUOS/REHEARSAL MEMORY? 

Definitely playing Beethoven 9 to a sold out Cathedral

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WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN DUOS NEXT YEAR?

We’ve Putting on some amazing concerts! And whatever Leo our social sec has up his sleeve

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NAME: Jamie Hardwicke (he/him)

ROLE: Treasurer

INSTRUMENT: Viola

DEGREE: Mathematics

COLLEGE: Castle

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WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? 

Overseeing income and expenditure, collecting subs and approving financial decisions $$

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FAVOURITE DUOS/REHEARSAL MEMORY? 

We all love a good masterclass.

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WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? 

Making music 🎶

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NAME: Anna MacDonald (she/her)

ROLE: Secretary

INSTRUMENT: Violin

DEGREE: Music

COLLEGE: John Snow

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WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? 

Monitoring attendance, taking minutes in meetings, creating programmes and tickets, and organising society stash.

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FAVOURITE DUOS/REHEARSAL MEMORY? 

Has to be playing Beethoven 9 in the Cathedral at the end of last year.

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WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN DUOS THIS YEAR? 

Playing lots of amazing concerts with fabulous people.

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NAME: Alison Roberts (she/her)

ROLE: Librarian

INSTRUMENT: Violin

DEGREE: Biology

COLLEGE: St Chads

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WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? 

​Making sure we always have the right music.

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WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO?

​Helping choose the beautiful music we will play. It is so much fun listening to all the possible pieces and picking the best ones.

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FAVOURITE PIECE OF CLASSICAL MUSIC: 

​Definitely by Glazunov. Either his Violin Concerto or Ballet Raymonda.

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NAME: Robbie Jansen (he/him)

ROLE: Publicity Officer

INSTRUMENT: Clarinet

DEGREE: Modern Languages and Cultures (French and German)

COLLEGE: Hatfield

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WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE?

Updating the DUOS social media channels and website, promoting concerts and getting people to buy tickets

 

FAVOURITE PIECE THAT YOU'VE PLAYED IN DUOS?

Shostakovich Symphony No. 10 at the Sage Gateshead

 

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? 

Catching up on all the woodwind goss from the summer

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NAME: Romy Barratt(she/her)

ROLE: Sponsorship Secretary

INSTRUMENT: Clarinet

DEGREE: MFL PGCE

COLLEGE: Van Mildert

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WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE?

I secure sponsorship deals for the orchestra and secure us additional grants and funding!

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WHAT. ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN DUOS NEXT YEAR?

More duos brass memes

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WHY DUOS? 

The chance to play some amazing and challenging repertoire at a high standard

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NAME: Lynette Alsop (she/her)

ROLE: Patrons and Alumni Secretary

INSTRUMENT: Cello

DEGREE: Biology

COLLEGE: Hild Bede

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WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE?

Writing newsletters for alumni and parents, attracting new patrons and hosting drinks receptions before concerts

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FAVOURITE PIECE THAT YOU'VE PLAYED IN DUOS? 

Beethoven 9 in the Cathedral

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WHY DUOS? 

Other orchestras are hobbies. DUOS is a lifestyle.

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NAME: Cynthia Bottomley (she/her)

ROLE: Concerts and Rehearsals Manager

INSTRUMENT: Cello

DEGREE: History

COLLEGE: St Mary's

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WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE?

Organising transport for instruments and equipment, carrying out risk assessments and making sure that everything runs smoothly on concert day!

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FAVOURITE PIECE OF CLASSICAL MUSIC:

Right now it's Wagner's Tristan und Isolde: Prelude and Liebestod ... anything but Pachelbel's Canon!

 

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? 

Playing more amazing music with amazing people :)

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NAME: Freya Hyde(she/her)

ROLE: Concerts and Rehearsals Manager

INSTRUMENT: Cello 

DEGREE: English Literature

COLLEGE: Trevelyan

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WHY DUOS?

Gorgeous music, gorgeous people, gorgeous concerts... what more could you want?!

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WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE?

Organising venues and transportation (and generally making sure all instruments and stands are in the right building at the right time) for concerts and rehearsals

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WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE DUOS MEMORY?

Performing Beethoven no.9 in the Cathedral was definitely a top tier moment for me at duos so far

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NAME: Joshua Evett (he/him)

ROLE: Deps and Masterclasses Manager

INSTRUMENT: Violin

DEGREE: Chemistry

COLLEGE: Hatfield

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WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE?

Sourcing any additional players for concerts, and working with the Vice President and Presidents to organise the engagement of professional conductors or instrumentalists to provide mentoring during masterclasses in DUOS week.

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WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE DUOS MEMORY?

Performing Beethoven 9 with the full choir and soloists in Durham Cathedral.

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FAVOURITE PIECE OF CLASSICAL MUSIC:

Sibelius' Fifth Symphony

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NAME: Leo Vernaglione (he/him)

ROLE: Social Secretary

INSTRUMENT: Trumpet

DEGREE: Modern Languages and Cultures (French and Spanish)

COLLEGE: St. Cuthbert's Society

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​WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE?

Organising fun and inclusive socials for everyone in DUOS to be able to relax and socialise. I also accrue copious amounts of biscuits for each rehearsal.

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WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE DUOS MEMORY?

The Easter Term DUOS Chamber Concert was such a musical highlight for me. The orchestra played absolutely incredibly and gave it their all, especially in the Beethoven 5 where I had goosebumps for the entire final movement.

 

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN DUOS NEXT YEAR?

Can’t wait for the rep the two new conductors are going to choose as I know they have very exciting things in store!

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