Solis Trio

Solis Trio

Key Facts

Biography

Hannah, Meggie and Eliza formed the Solis Trio in 2018 as students at Wells Cathedral School. Their shared passion and enthusiasm for music inspired them to establish the ensemble when they were just 16 to pursue a high standard of chamber music.

In 2020 Eliza and Hannah joined Meggie at the Royal Academy of Music and are now a London based group, enjoying the opportunities that the city brings. Solis have been lucky enough to receive coaching from a wide range of teachers in the profession. Previous teachers include Emily White and Paul Denegri and currently the trio receive coaching from Bob Hughes, Rex Martin and Simon Cox.

In June of 2021 the trio won the prestigious ‘Brass Ensemble Musicians Company prize’ at the Royal Academy of Music. Solis trio have also performed in a number of lunchtime concerts at Wells, performing works such as Poulenc’s Brass trio, and have also performed in local concerts around the Somerset area including a collaboration with the Royal Academy of Music. The lack of repertoire written for this formation has encouraged the players to arrange their own works, although they are looking to commission some more serious pieces.

Meggie comes from Cardiff and began playing the trombone when she was 9. Meggie has been a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales in which she was also principal trombone for her second year, the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Wales, the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain and the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. Meggie then went on to win a scholarship at the Royal Academy of music, where she is studying under Matthew Gee, Peter Moore and Ian Bousfield. During her first year at the Royal Academy of Music, Meggie achieved a place as a finalist in the brass category of the BBC Young Musician of the Year 2020.

Eliza started playing the trumpet at the age of 8 in a youth brass band in Somerset, and although this shaped her passion for music she soon moved onto orchestral and solo playing. This was developed in her time in the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain as well as the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, and during her time at Wells Cathedral School where she won the concerto competition as well as the Malcolm Arnold trumpet competition. Eliza went on to win a scholarship at the Royal academy of music, and since then she has performed the Haydn trumpet concerto with the MSO.

Hannah Williams grew up in rural Devon and was surrounded by music from a young age, starting the piano when she was four and the French horn when she was ten. At fourteen years old Hannah won a scholarship to Wells Cathedral School, where she studied horn under Simon de Souza. Over the years Hannah has shown a keen interest in orchestral and ensemble playing and was part of  the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. Hannah receives a full scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music, and learns with Michael Thompson and Richard Watkins. In 2021, Hannah won the John Solomon brass prize.

 

Musicians’ Company Award: RAM Brass Ensemble Award 2021

Page Updated: March 2022

Photo Credit: None