Toby Hughes (double bass)

Toby started playing the double bass when he was nine years old due to an initiative within his county to offer free lessons on the ‘not so popular’ orchestral instruments. When he was twelve he auditioned and was offered a place in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and three years later he became Principal of their bass section. That same year, on the suggestion of his teacher, Toby auditioned to be one of five pupils to be taught by Professor Božo Paradžik at the Lausanne Conservatoire in Switzerland. However the huge costs of attending the course were proving very challenging for his family. Toby is the winner of Future Talent’s first Coombs Scholarship, which has provided invaluable funds to enable him to continue his studies in Switzerland.

Since he moved to Lausanne, Toby’s bass playing has improved immensely. He has achieved excellent result s in all his performance exams and has given many performances at the conservatoire.

As part of his studies Toby has also been given the opportunity to take part in a week-long orchestral course with composer, soloist and conductor Michel Legrand and he has also been part of a three week tour with the Zürich based Animato Orchestra.

On completion of his bachelor’s degree, Toby plans to move to the Berlin Academy and ultimately become a member of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.

“I feel this is the most important stage in my bass playing career and I am most grateful for the help given by Future Talent.” (Toby Hughes)