Sean O’Neill

Sean O’Neill, educated in the Scottish Borders and at the RNCM where he was awarded the Hiles Medal, he is the former Principal Tuba of the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera, a post he held for 25 years. 

With WNO he performed and recorded with many world famous voices and conductors such as Joan Sutherland, Jose Carrerras and Luciano Pavarotti as well as Pierre Boulez, Nello Santi and Sir Charles Mackerras and was the first player to successfully introduce the “Cimbasso” into British orchestras in 1985.

In 2002 Sean embarked on a freelance career that saw him perform throughout the UK and abroad with many leading Orchestras and chamber ensembles.

Throughout his 30 year playing career he has developed a parallel career in music education. He has founded wind and brass bands in Monmouth School and Caerleon Comprehensive and directed them to national recognition. From 2001-2012 he was Director of the Cardiff County & Vale of Glamorgan Youth Wind Band and conducted them twice in Carnegie Hall, including the Gala concert of the New York Wind Band Festival in 2010. In 2012, he was guest Director of the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Wales.

Sean has given master classes on tuba and cimbasso at RNCM, RWCMD, Chethams and Wells Cathedral School where he was also tuba tutor for 5 years.

Sean presently holds posts as Tuba Tutor at Cardiff University and RWCMD, guest tutor to the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and is Senior Brass Tutor with Gwent Music Support Service.