12 October 2025
Gordon Cervoni is a viola player based between Scotland and London. Gordon grew up in Scotland, and studied at the Royal Conservatoire, taking part in Scottish Ensemble’s Young Artists programme in 2021. We asked Gordon to provide an account of the scheme and how this has impacted his career since.
“Prior to being on the Young Artists programme, I first briefly interacted with Scottish Ensemble during the COVID pandemic, when select alumni of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland collaborated with the Scottish Ensemble members to record and film a music video. My first more ‘normal’ experience of playing with members of the Ensemble was the side-by-side week at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) in January 2021, where each section was led by a principal player. This was an incredible experience of music-making of the highest quality, and I was able to soak up the knowledge and experience of players at the very top of their field. Getting the chance to interact with such skilled performers was amazing, and it opened my eyes to the standard and level of detail required to thrive in this competitive profession.
I was then fortunate enough to be invited on a Concerts by Candlelight tour with Scottish Ensemble as a Young Artist. I was honoured to have been chosen for this opportunity, as there were very few experiences like it available for developing players during my course of study at the RCS. This really took my playing to the next level, as I was now able to see how all the members of the Ensemble worked together to create such a magical sound and outstanding quality of performing. It opened my mind to many new possibilities, and helped me to find ways of developing the sensitive yet positive approach needed when playing within a string collective.
Shortly after my time as a Young Artist I moved to London, completing a postgraduate degree at the Royal Academy of Music and entering the freelance scene. I have been extremely lucky to play with some high-level string players in coveted venues. Last September I performed in Wigmore Hall with OModernt Chamber Orchestra, and I was able to use my experience with Scottish Ensemble to confidently approach playing with such high-class musicians. In particular, the experience I had gained in working without a conductor was extremely useful, as this is a particular skill and not something commonly experienced while studying.
I was absolutely delighted to be asked back for a recent Scottish Ensemble tour in April 2025 with Donald Grant and friends, and it was amazing to feel such a full-circle moment by playing with the Ensemble again. I firmly believe that if it had not been for the Young Artists programme, I would not have been able to build up the level of experience and skills required to perform alongside such world-class players.”