After studies at The Royal College of Music, London, Ian was appointed to the horn section of the Royal Ballet Orchestra. He also worked extensively as a freelance horn player in both England and Wales, notably with The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Halle Orchestra Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and The BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
He joined the horn section of The Scottish Opera Orchestra in September 2007 and also freelances frequently with other orchestras in Scotland. He is a founder member of the Rookh Horn Quartet.
Ian is also a qualified Piano Tuner and Repairer.
Stephanie studied at the Royal Northern College of Music from 2000-5. Following on from her studies Stephanie began her freelance career playing with orchestras including the Halle, BBC Philharmonic, Opera North, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Philharmonia, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Scottish Opera, Northern Ballet and Manchester Camerata. She also played on tour with Grammy Award-winning singer Adele.
Stephanie began her current post as Sub-Principal 4th horn at the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in 2009. She regularly participates in workshops and education projects with the BBC SSO including BBC 10 Pieces projects in primary and secondary schools and Tunes for Tots with pre-school children. Stephanie is also one of the regular coaches for the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, and currently lectures at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, a post she has held since 2012.
Stephanie enjoys chamber music and as well as exploring horn music with the Rookh Quartet she frequently joins colleague from the BBC SSO for chamber concerts.
Born in Dundee, Andy Saunders grew up in Staffordshire where he began horn lessons as an excuse to miss science lessons! He studied Music at York University before moving back north to Glasgow to complete his Masters degree at the RSAMD with Hugh Potts.
After graduating he spent a season as Solo Horn of Slovenian National Opera and Ballet in Ljubljana, before returning to Glasgow to freelance. He now plays regularly with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Scottish Opera, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Ensemble Modern, Le Concert Olympique, Daniel's Beard, and Rednote Ensemble.
Andy ran The Cottier Chamber Project, sits on the board of The Night With..., has been the Co-Chair of New Music Scotland, is the Performance Consultant for the University of Glasgow’s music department, and is currently leading Scotland's involvement in Nordic Music Days 2024.
