London Symphony Cellist to Leave after 35 Years

Hilary Jones joined the orchestra as a part-time member in 1985 and joined, full-time, in 1992

Born in East London, she was previously a member of the Royal Ballet School and the BBC Symphony Orchestra following her time studying at the Royal Academy of Music.

She studied with Joan Bonner, Derek Simpson, and William Pleeth — the teacher of the legendary cellist, Jacqueline Du Pre.

Throughout her career, she was very active in LSO Discovery, working with talented young musicians as a mentor.

LSO Principal cellist, Rebecca Gilliver, recalls an experience with Jones, "Hilary Jones, eagle-ears. It’s a typical three-session day, just after lunch, Abbey Road is warm and everyone is just a little sleepy. A question comes from the back about a possible wrong note – I don’t even need to look back to know who spotted the wrong note, nor really to ask the conductor if it’s wrong. Hilary, the ultimate wrong-note-spotter, is awake and alert and the note is quietly corrected – again…"