Solent Symphony Orchestra

Conductor - Steve Tanner                Leader - Kirstie Robertson

Elias Simojoki - our soloist on 8th March 2025

Elias started playing the trumpet aged 7, taught by Dave Smith whom he stayed with for 8 years. He joined Gosport and Fareham Youth Training Band at age 9, before progressing to the Gosport and Fareham Youth Orchestra, where he played until the summer of 2024.

At age 11 he joined the National Children’s Orchestra, with whom he was a member until the Covid-19 pandemic cut his experience short in 2020.

Following this, he joined Hampshire County Youth Orchestra in 2021, where he played principal trumpet from 2022-2024.

From 2023-2024 he was accepted as a member of the National Youth Orchestra, with whom he was fortunate enough to play in world-renowned venues such as The Barbican, The Royal

Festival Hall, The Bridgewater Hall and The Royal Albert Hall.

From 2021-2024 he was taught by Julian Poore, and from 2022-2024 he studied at Peter Symonds College on the Hampshire Specialist Music Course, gaining valuable solo and chamber opportunities.

In the summer of 2024, he performed the Arutiunian Trumpet Concerto with Winchester Symphony Orchestra.

He is currently studying at the Royal College of Music with a full scholarship, and is taught by Kate Moore and Niall Keatley, and baroque trumpet by Paul Sharp.

In his spare time, Elias enjoys playing football and keeping fit.