William Newell enjoys a wide-ranging career centred around chamber music.
As second violin of the Solem Quartet since 2017, one of the most innovative ensembles of its generation, William performs regularly on concert platforms across the UK and internationally including London’s Wigmore Hall and Amsterdam’s Muziekgebouw, as well as more eclectic venues from cinemas to nightclubs and bars. The Quartet’s work has been recently recognised with awards from Jerwood Arts and The Royal Philharmonic Society; their most recent disc, Painted Light (Delphian Records, 2023) received 5 stars from BBC Music Magazine and was described by Europadisc as “compelling listening for all lovers of the string quartet genre”. Their debut disc, The Four Quarters, (Orchid Classics, 2021), features several of William’s own arrangements described as ‘expressive and stylish’.
Will is Principal second violin of Manchester Camerata, hailed by The Times as “Britain’s most adventurous orchestra”. Recent highlights have included recording Mozart piano concertos with Jean-Efflam Bavouzet and legendary Artistic Director Gábor Takács-Nagy, The Four Seasons with Daniel Pioro and Michael Morpurgo, and performing alongside Camerata principals as soloist in Tippett’s Fantasia Concertante on a Theme of Corelli.
Will performs regularly with other leading UK ensembles including 12 ensemble, Manchester Collective, London Mozart Players, Royal Northern Sinfonia, and he has appeared as guest leader with Heritage Orchestra. Demonstrating his dynamic versatility and broad tastes, Will is a member of the Mead Men (a sea shanty group); has played for Nonclassical and at the Vortex Jazz Club; and has appeared at Glastonbury Festival with Abel Selaocoe’s Bantu Ensemble.
Alongside performing, Will works as an arranger. His arrangements have been featured on both Solem Quartet albums, and have been performed and broadcast by groups worldwide including London Mozart Players, the Jess Gillam Ensemble and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra String Quartet. He has worked closely with visual artist/director Imran Perretta for his 2024 installation piece A Riot in ThreeActs, and his debut 2025 film ISH which won the audience award at the Critics’ Week at the Venice Film Festival. Will also works regularly with film composer Isabella Summers, including for the 2024 Netflix series Kaos, and the 2025 film My Oxford Year. In 2023/24 the Solem Quartet toured with vocalist Alice Zawadzki performing a set of Kate Bush songs arranged by Will, described as “lush and evocative”.
Originally from Romford, North East London, Will began his musical education with Havering Music School followed by private lessons with Susan Sheppard. He attended the Guildhall School from 2012-2017 where he studied with renowned chamber musicians Krysia Osostowicz and Alexander Janiczek where he won the Sheriff’s Prize for Music upon graduating.
