Nathan Knight Appointed Associate Principal Double Bass at Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra has officially announced the appointment of Nathan Knight as its new associate principal double bass, a role that positions him as the second-in-command in the orchestra's double bass section. This announcement, made on July 22, 2025, marks a significant milestone in Knight's evolving career as a professional musician.

Knight, a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music with First Class Honours in BMus, has a storied background in performance, having participated in various esteemed orchestras and ensembles across the UK. He further honed his skills with a Postgraduate Diploma from Trinity Laban Conservatoire, studying under renowned double bassist Leon Bosch. His extensive experience includes principal trials with notable orchestras such as the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Opera North, as well as serving as a guest principal with Chineke! and Manchester Camerata, among others.

In addition to his orchestral work, Knight has performed regularly with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Scottish Chamber Orchestra. His career highlights also include receiving the Charles Hallé Award during his time with the Royal Northern College of Music, where he was a semi-finalist in the 2016 5th Biennial Double Bass Solo competition and the 2021 Royal Overseas League String Category. Recently, he gained visibility through appearances on CBeebies’ Musical Storyland, showcasing his versatility as a performer.

Expressing his enthusiasm about joining the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Knight stated, “As a teenager, I was fortunate enough to play in Liverpool Philharmonic Hall many times as a member of the National Youth Orchestra. It has been a fantastic experience playing there now as a professional musician and becoming reacquainted with that great acoustic and fantastic audiences. It feels fitting that I can take the next step in my career with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and contribute to an organization whose work I very much admire.”

Vanessa Reed, the orchestra’s new chief executive, welcomed Knight warmly, saying, “It’s my pleasure to welcome Nathan to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic family. It’s been thrilling to experience all the orchestra’s performances during my first two months as chief executive, and I have no doubt that Nathan’s exceptional skills and dedication to his craft will enrich our ensemble. I look forward to the fresh perspectives and artistry he will bring to our stage.”

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra is set to commence its 2025-26 season on September 18, with a performance of Dvořák’s Symphony No.9, ‘From the New World,’ conducted by chief conductor Domingo Hindoyan. This season promises to be an exciting one as Knight integrates into the orchestra, contributing to its legacy of musical excellence.