Jane Mitchell wins the Salomon Prize

10 September 2020

We’re delighted that Jane Mitchell, Principal Flute and Creative Director of Aurora, has been awarded the highly-coveted RPS ABO Salomon Prize for orchestral musicians.

Awarded annually by the Royal Philharmonic Society and Association of British Orchestras, the Salomon Prize is the only award presented to orchestral musicians working in Britain. Each recipient has not only shone musically but made a remarkable contribution to the life of their orchestra, its audience and community.

The awarding panel, which comprises leading figures working in classical music, says:

‘Jane Mitchell is a distinct creative force and catalyst at the heart of Aurora Orchestra’s programming, presentation and performance. She continually pushes the boundaries of the orchestra’s work, developing a fresh artistic blueprint which has transformed the expectations of audiences and players, all the while sustaining the highest musical quality. Particularly through her curation of Aurora’s strand for young people, Far Far Away, as well as their Orchestral Theatre series – including last summer’s immersive and thrillingly theatrical accounts of Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique – Jane has achieved remarkable feats and created wildly innovative and imaginative ways of experiencing classical music. The respect and support she has from her colleagues is evident in their nomination, which said “Much of Jane’s work happens unheralded behind the scenes. Though Jane is never someone to seek out the limelight, her commitment, drive and creativity have made Aurora the orchestra it is today.”’

Jane was presented with her award last night at Saffron Hall, following our performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 from memory – the UK’s first indoor symphony with a live audience since lockdown. Huge congratulations to Jane!