Simon de Souza

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Simon de Souza is one of the most active and influential horn teachers and performers in the United Kingdom. He teaches at the Birmingham Conservatoire (where he has been professor of horn since 2004), is horn tutor at Wells Cathedral School and the Purcell School and is also involved with the Junior departments of the Trinity College of Music and Royal Academy of Music. He works with many youth orchestras, including the National Youth Wind Orchestra, National Children’s Wind Orchestra, National Schools Symphony Orchestra and National Children’s Orchestra. He writes on horn teaching matters for publications including Music Teacher and the Hornplayer magazine, journal of the British Horn Society, of which he is vice-chair and educational consultant.

His past pupils include two under-18 winners of the Shell/LSO prize and a winner of the British final of the Paxman International Horn Competition; several former students hold principal positions in major British orchestras.

De Souza was brought up in Henley-on-Thames. He studied under legendary British horn teacher Ifor James, followed by postgraduate studies at Trinity College of Music in London. His performing career has seen him work with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Bolshoi Ballet and particularly the quintet Chaconne Brass, with whom he has made four recordings.

He lives in Reading, Berkshire. He is married with two sons. His cousin Chris de Souza is a noted broadcaster, music director and author.

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