Oliver Simpson

Oliver began playing the double bass during primary school in Sydney, and grew up playing with Sydney Youth Orchestras and The Arts Unit, as well as his school’s orchestras. He went on to complete undergraduate study at Sydney Conservatorium of Music, followed by postgraduate study at both the Royal Academy of Music and Royal Northern College of Music in the United Kingdom.

Oliver’s career has involved freelancing with orchestras in Australia (Opera Australia, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra), the United Kingdom (Philharmonia, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, English National Opera, Royal Ballet Sinfonia, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, The Hallé, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Manchester Camerata, Opera North, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Northern Sinfonia, Royal Scottish National Orchestra), and New Zealand (Auckland Philharmonia, Orchestra Wellington).

He has toured internationally several times, and has participated in a number of European summer schools. After holding several contract positions with various orchestras, his appointment with Auckland Philharmonia represents his first position as a tenured musician.