An adaptable ensemble that performs a wide range of repertoire in diverse spaces.

PROGRAMME
Assobio a Játo (The Jet Whistle) – Heitor Villa-Lobos
Dviraag – Asha Srinivasan
Romanian Folk Dances – Béla Bartók (arranged by Roe Goodman)
Trio pour Flûte, Clarinette et Basson – Charles Kœchlin
A Little Duo – Nikolai Kapustin

The Amalthea Ensemble was formed in 2022 by flautist Meg Diamond and cellist Alice Cheer with the aim of bringing chamber music in many forms to a variety of audiences. Their name and logo, the cornucopia, represent the plentiful offerings of the ensemble; in Greek mythology, Amalthea is a nymph in the form of a goat that cared for Zeus when he was being hidden from Cronos. Amalthea provided all necessities to Zeus, and it is her horn that the traditional cornucopia is based on.

Since its inception, they have performed in Moseley Road Baths and All Saints Church in Penarth, and for numerous commercial events. They have had coaching from Rose Redgrave and Will Hammond, and have worked with pianist John Cheer and clarinettist Will Hammond for projects. They have commissioned works from composers Georgia Denham and Millicent B James, and artist Rhea D’Souza. They are always looking to collaborate with more musicians and interact with wider audiences, and look forward to future concerts and projects.

Alice Cheer is a Welsh cellist who has lived in Birmingham for the last 7 years. She began playing the cello aged four, studying at the Junior RWCMD, primarily under the guidance of cellist Kate Price, who remains a constant support, inspiration and tutor to this day. Alice studied at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire under the tutelage of Ulrich Heinen, Ben Davies and Nick Stringfellow over five years of study, gaining a First Class Honours Degree as well as her Postgraduate Certificate. Alice loves performing – orchestrally, with the Young Musician Symphony Orchestra, and in the past with RBC Orchestras and as Principal Cellist of the National Scout and Guide Symphony Orchestra for many years; as a soloist; playing folk music, with Joe Broughton’s Conservatoire Folk Ensemble and other groups; and with her numerous chamber groups, most notably the Dunev Quartet and the newly formed Amalthea Ensemble. Alice works as a steward in multiple Birmingham venues and theatres, and as a cello teacher. She enjoys reading, cooking, running, being creative, working out, and organising things.

Meg Diamond started playing the flute through her local music service in South London at the age of 7 years old, learning from Sahana Gero. She has a BMus Honours degree from the University of Birmingham, and a MMus in Flute Performance from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Throughout her time in Birmingham, Meg has been taught predominantly by Jonathan Rimmer, but also Andrew Lane, Judith Hall and Dougie Mitchell. During her studies at University of Birmingham, she was taught baroque flute by Katy Bircher, and in her second year performed a baroque flute recital. She has performed with the CBSO Youth, as well as the orchestras at UoB and RBC, and is a co-founder of Orchestra in the Shape of a Pear. She sticks to her jazz routes, often performing with jazz groups, including musicians such as Olivia Murphy, Steve Saunders and Xhosa Cole. She is an accomplished improviser and promotes contemporary music in the classical world, as well as teaching and conducting at Solihull Music Service. She enjoys disco music, dancing, hiking, films, reading, plants and animals.

Will Hammond is a Birmingham-based clarinettist. After receiving a first-class honours degree, followed by a Distinction in Instrumental Performance Postgraduate Certificate from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, William is enjoying a varied career as a freelancer. He has recently worked with the Hanover Junges Orchester and Cumbria Opera Group, alongside playing for the Welsh National Opera’s outreach project ‘Opera Tutti’ based in the West Midlands. He has a keen interest in the performance and delivery of contemporary music and recently was invited to perform with the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group’s ensemble NEXT. In September 2023, William will be studying his Masters at the Royal Academy of Music, London, under the guidance of Christopher Richards. He enjoys long walks in the countryside with friends, and often finds himself in the pub to enjoy locally brewed beer and live music.