Simon Williams

Simon Williams was born, grew up and was educated in England, where he studied with Hugh Potts at Durham University, then with Terry Johns and Michael Thompson at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He then spent several years working in the IT industry in London, Melbourne, and finally in Auckland, before returning to the horn in the mid-90’s.

After freelancing in Auckland and Melbourne for several years, playing with the APO, the NZSO and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and studying in the UK, the US and with Nicola Baker here in Auckland, Simon became a permanent member of the Auckland Philharmonia in mid-2001.

Despite joining as 4th horn, Simon has sat in every position in the section, finally returning more or less permanently to the 4th seat with the arrival of Carl as 2nd horn. Simon is part of the Koru Wind Quintet which performs school concerts as part of the APOPS education programme, and also enjoys the APO’s more relaxed ‘crossover’ concerts, performing with the likes of Dianna Krall, Meatloaf, Serj Tankian, and the Remix project. He is also Secretary of the Auckland Philharmonia Players Society and sits on the Auckland Philharmonia Foundation Board.