River Edis-Smith is a multi-disciplinary musician who is musically curious and polyglot. His recent studies in MMus Music at the University of Surrey and his work as an educator (through classroom teaching, workshops, and private tuition) have led to professional engagements as a violin player, conductor, composer, and teacher.
Originally from Manchester, River relocated to Sheffield in September 2022 where he has expertly engaged with musicians across many backgrounds and genres. As a creator of leading new and exciting collaborative opportunities for musicians – River is a firm advocate of widening everyone’s musical circle through musical knowledge, developing performance skills, and encouraging network opportunities between artists.
As a Qualified Secondary School Teacher in Mathematics and a DipABRSM holder in Violin Teaching – River has extensive experience working in youth establishments. His approachable character and pedagogical practice results in students building up confidence in orchestras, classrooms, and in private tuition (both face-to-face and online).
River’s approach to conducting has been shaped by experiences performing as a violinist in ensembles such as the Hallé Youth Orchestra and Amadeus Orchestra. In his tenures as a conductor, he encouraged further engagements with local communities – collaborating with schools and charities to promote music education for all through newly founded initiatives.
River moved into Sheffield in September 2022 for his role as the Director of Music with Sheffield Youth Orchestra. Since then, he has produced a popular series of one day community orchestral projects – bringing together musicians from all ages and backgrounds in Sheffield. They attract 100+ musicians whilst still being free and accessible for all. The community days have received national recognition by Making Music and was shortlisted for Best New Project in September 2024.
In March 2024, River became the Director of Music with Chesterfield Symphony Orchestra where his aim is to nurture exciting music-making opportunities for all across the Chesterfield region.
Following this, he was appointed Director of Music with Sheffield’s Endcliffe Orchestra – further embedding his influence in the Classical Sheffield music scene.
Alongside his conducting positions, River is an accomplished composer whose music connects with diverse contemporary idioms such as multimedia installations, algorithmic compositions and mixed ensemble chamber music. His first recorded EP ‘Harp’ was a culmination of his Masters in Music, awarded and published in November 2022.
As an avid Ableton user, he enjoys exploring electronic music and infusing this into re-compositions from one of his biggest musical influences, Arvo Pärt. Equally, his interest in data sonification has led to creating audio-visual works that are inspired by mathematics and science.
The musical universe to which he composes within is broad, and this results in eclectic music that is stimulating and accessible to all.
