Simon Chalk

Musical Director

Although he spent the first 20 years of his career as a violinist, in 2011 Simon made the switch from bow to baton. Simon has since conducted orchestras in over 70 countries, across a plethora of musical genres, to tens of thousands of concert goers and has appeared at many of the world’s most iconic venues. He was appointment Chief Conductor of the Slovak Sinfonietta in 2015 and continues as a Guest Conductor for them. He has also served as Guest Conductor for the St Petersburg Symphony Orchestra every season since 2014. Simon has made numerous recordings, including two live DVDs with IL Divo, and has been a prize-winner in a number of conducting competitions - most notably in Romania where, in June 2022, he was awarded as winner of the inaugural 'Orchestra's Conductor' Competition in association with Filarmonica Brasov. Simon continues to be in great demand throughout Europe and beyond and has an active schedule in the UK as the Conductor and Artistic Director of Southern Sinfonia. He was appointed as Musical Director of the Hull Philharmonic in 2024 and is looking forward to delivering some exciting future projects and programmes.

Dr Elaine King

Assistant Musical Director

Elaine moved to the East Riding of Yorkshire in 2000 when she became a Lecturer in Music at the University of Hull. She is currently Reader in Music and pursues both research and performance activities as part of her work, publishing widely on aspects of ensemble playing, music psychology and education.

As a performer, she studied the cello at the Royal Academy of Music and holds a licentiate in piano from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She has performed widely in chamber and orchestral ensembles in the region.

She conducts the University Camerata and has directed various choral and orchestral ensembles over the past several years, including the Hessle Sinfonia. She has been involved with the Hull Philharmonic Orchestra since 2000: she was a member of the cello section until 2007, then, following a maternity break, was thrilled to take on the role of Rehearsal Conductor in 2022 and Assistant Musical Director in 2023.

Peter Walker

Chair of the Hull Philharmonic Society

Peter has been principal trombone in the orchestra for more than 30 years. After studying the trombone at the Royal College of Music, he moved to the East Riding to take up a position as Brass teacher for the Schools’ Music Service. Over the years, he has worked in a number of roles within the service culminating in the position of Deputy Head of Service. Peter has recently stepped back from that managerial role and now works as a brass teacher two days a week. He was elected as chair of the Hull Philharmonic Orchestra in 2024, which is a matter of real pride as the HPO has been an integral part of the Walker family’s musical life for many years, as both Peter's wife and daughter both play in the orchestra too.

Vanessa Nolan

Treasurer of the Hull Philharmonic Society

Vanessa graduated in law but switched to studying accountancy and has worked in accounts teams for over 30 years after qualifying with Ernst & Young. She has a wealth of industry experience (from audit, power, distribution & logistics, construction, education, and creative arts). She has worked in the charity /not-for-profit sector for 10 years predominately in the education sector. Vanessa is a local girl, and music has played a large part of her life - learning the piano and violin from the age of four but then moving to bassoon when she was thirteen, following in her father's footsteps (who used to play with the Hull Philharmonic!) Throughout her life, Vanessa has been part of the York Youth Orchestra, the York County Orchestra and the Hull Youth Orchestra. Whilst Vanessa rarely plays the bassoon due to work commitments, she continues to sing and has sung with Thorngumbald Choir and the Roos Community choir. She is also a member of the Freedom Chorus and was part of the City of Culture programme in 2017

Graziana Presicce

Concert Manager

Graziana Presicce is an Italian pianist currently based in the United Kingdom. She recently completed a scholarship-funded PhD in Music Performance at the University of Hull (2020). Her research and doctoral thesis, also explored through her performance activities, investigates music listeners' experiences of visual imagery. Graziana graduated in 2012 with a First-Class BA Music Degree at the University of Hull, where she was awarded the Sir Thomas Beecham Music Scholarship and Special Prize in Music, and went on to pursue an MA in Music for which she was awarded a distinction. As a performer, Graziana actively engages in recitals, both as a soloist as well as accompanist. Graziana has served as Concert Manager for the Hull Philharmonic since 2021.