Double bassist Will Duerden is fast becoming one of the most sought-after artists of his generation.

In demand as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral leader, his growing international career spans four continents.

Will, who comes from a musical family, started playing the double bass aged 7. Two years later, he was awarded a full scholarship to the Yehudi Menuhin School, where his teacher was Caroline Emery. He counts playing as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician at the Wigmore Hall among the highlights from his time at the school. Will attended the Royal College of Music for his undergraduate studies continuing with Caroline Emery, and was awarded a full ABRSM scholarship. He is currently pursuing a Masters Degree at the Royal College with Rodrigo Moro Martin.

Today, Will pursues an active freelance career in different musical avenues. As a keen chamber musician, he has worked with such fine artists as Lawrence Power, the Sitkovetsky Trio and the Echea Quartet. Will is a member of the LGT Young Soloists, a group of outstanding young musicians who perform internationally in venues such as the Konzerthaus Berlin and Elbphilharmonie Hamburg.

Following a rigorous audition process which culminated with a final audition at Wigmore Hall in June 2023, Will was selected to join the prestigious Young Classical Artists Trust’s (YCAT) roster. Alongside artistic management, the Trust provides performing opportunities in the UK and abroad as well as other career advancement and developmental opportunities.

Will was the 1st Prizewinner of the Haslemere String Competition, RCM Bass Competition two years running and the Peter Morrison Concerto Competition, which led to his being a soloist with the RCM JD Symphony Orchestra. As a soloist, he has also appeared with the Horsham Symphony Orchestra, the European Youth Summer Music Symphony Orchestra and the Waverley Ensemble. He was awarded the ABRSM scholarship to the Royal College of Music, enabling him to perform many recitals in the UK.

Will has distinguished himself as a leading orchestral player, regularly performing with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, the Aurora Orchestra, and the Royal Northern Sinfonia. Recently Will won auditions for Sub-Principal Double Bass with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, where he is currently on trial. As the principal bassist in many Symphony and Philharmonic projects, he has worked closely with conductors such as Sir Antonio Pappano, Sir Andrew Davis and Vasily Petrenko. 

Will received special permission by Edgar Meyer, the renowned bassist and composer, to perform two of his works at the Wigmore Hall - a considerable privilege as the composer does not publish his scores or allow others to perform his works. A purveyor of new music, Will received several new pieces specially written for him, and had the first performance of a significant new solo work in Italy and London this year. 

Recently, Will has been awarded multiple awards including the LSO Conservatiore Scholarship, Countess of Munster award, LSO Scheme, the BBC Symphony Orchestral Scheme and has been chosen to be a Borletti Buitoni Trust Fellowship holder, as well as being selected as one of Classic FM’s 2024 Rising Stars. Future projects include numerous recitals and masterclasses, solo and orchestral performances with the LGT Young Soloists on tours of Italy, Sydney, Singapore, Bangkok and Tokyo, performances as Principle Double Bass with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, Amsterdam Sinfonietta and Royal Northern Sinfonia, and a tour of UK, Germany, and Finland with the Aurora Orchestra, where they will perform Stravinsky's 'The Rite of Spring' from memory.

Will hopes to continue his studies with internationally renowned instrumentalists. He enjoys all aspects of the double bass. He has a passion for everything from baroque music to jazz and wants to pursue a performing career encompassing all styles and genres. When not engaged with his bass, Will enjoys attending other musical performances. At home, he enjoys cooking and dedicates himself to extending, through practical research, his knowledge of wine and winemaking.