Kevin Flynn
Kevin began playing the violin at the age of ten. In 1996 he joined Chetham's School of Music where he studied for two years with Catherine Yates. In 1998 he joined the Royal Northern College of Music and Manchester University on the joint course, studying with Professor Yossi Zivoni.
He graduated from the University in 2001 with first class honours, and a year later with a diploma from the RNCM. Following a year of postgraduate study, Kevin graduated once again from the RNCM with an MPhil in Performance. During his time at the RNCM, Kevin led the RNCM Chamber and Opera Orchestras and the New Ensemble, most notably for a broadcast performance of James MacMillan's Parthenogenosis under the direction of the composer. He also gave numerous solo and chamber performances, including performances of Strauss' Le Bourgeouis Gentilhomme and Mozart's Third Violin Concerto with the Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Douglas Boyd. Work outside the college included guest leading Clonter Opera, St.Cecilia Chamber Orchestra, the Cantilena Orchestra and the Emmanuel Ensemble.
In January 2004 Kevin joined the first violin section of the BBC Philharmonic, and in April 2005 was promoted to the post of sub-principal. As part of the BBC Philharmonic he appears regularly in Manchester, at the BBC Proms in London and abroad. Prior to joining the BBC Philharmonic, Kevin enjoyed a busy and varied freelance career working with the Hallé, the Ulster Orchestra and Manchester Camerata. More recently he has guest led Sinfonia Viva, Bolton Symphony Orchestra, the Lakeland Sinfonia. As a soloist Kevin has performed concertos by Bruch, Mozart, Bach and Beethoven and has given numerous recitals, most notably Schubert's G minor Sonatina for the Schubert Society and Elgar's Sonata for the Elgar Society. Kevin joined the Quartet in 2002.
Neil McErlean
Neil was born in Antrim, Northern Ireland, where he begun his musical education. In the 1996 Northern Ireland Young Musician of the Year competition Neil was awarded the prize for Most Outstanding String Player, and a year later took third prize. In 1999, he moved to Manchester to study viola at the Royal Northern College of Music with Professor Mark Knight. In 2003 he graduated with first class honours, and embarked on the teacher training course at the college, emerging two years later with a PGCE with Specialist String Teaching.
During his time at the RNCM, Neil worked with all the college orchestras, including the RNCM Symphony Orchestra as principal viola. He also enjoyed a busy chamber music schedule, highlights of which included a seminar with the composer James MacMillan.
Neil joined the Quartet in 2003 and is currently enjoying a varied freelance career in Manchester.
David Spencer
David joined the Bacchus String Quartet after graduating from the Royal Northern College of Music in 2000. On top of his work with the quartet, he freelanced with orchestras all over the country including the Royal Scottish National, the Halle and the London Festival Orchestras.
In 2002 David was appointed the Head of Strings at Oakham School but left in 2003 when he was appointed the principal first violin of the RTE National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland. In 2004 David was appointed sub principal second violin in the Northern Sinfonia where he stayed until January 2006 when he started work as a first violinist with the BBC Philharmonic.
As a soloist, David has given performances of Sibelius' Violin Concerto, Lalo's Symphonie Espagnole and opened the RNCM Beethovenfest. He has also given a series of recitals in the Lake District with the pianist Robin Humphreys.
With the Fenice Piano Trio, formed in 1997, David has performed all over the UK and abroad. They commissioned a work by David Golightly in 2001 and are planning to record the work soon.
David has also been invited to play as a guest member with the London Concertante and gave a performance in Manchester's Bridgewater Hall with the Marchini Quartet in January 2007.
David Wesling
David started his musical career at the age of 8 as a chorister at Ripon Cathedral. After three years he was awarded a scholarship to study at Chetham's School of Music in Manchester. It was at Chetham's that David developed a passion for chamber music, under the guidance of his 'cello teacher, Gillian Thoday.
After completing his A-levels, David moved to London to study with David Strange at the Royal Academy of Music, where again he received a top scholarship. He finished his studies with a postgraduate course at the Royal Northern College of Music, where he played in masterclasses for many of the world's most notable soloists, including Paul Tortelier and Heinrich Schiff.
Since leaving the RNCM, David has pursued a career as a freelance musician. He has performed as a soloist on a number of occasions, in recitals across the north of England, and in performances of many concertos, including the Dvorak and Shostakovich No.1. However, it is chamber music that David enjoys above all other genres. As well as The Bacchus String Quartet, he was a founder member of the Manchester String Quartet, and has performed with the world renowned Fitzwilliam String Quartet.
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