Crispin’s leadership has been transformative, taking us from Szczecin to coast-to-coast US tours. He launched the acclaimed Rising Stars programme, guided us through the challenges of lockdown (including the landmark St John Passion film with Mark Padmore), and pioneered our groundbreaking partnership with Acland Burghley, making us the first orchestra in a UK state
school.
“When reflecting on Crispin’s 10 years of leadership with the orchestra I keep coming back to 3 ideas that for me describe it. Brave. Creative. Kind.
Winning combo! We are extremely lucky to be part of it.”
Katherine Spencer, Principal Clarinet
“Elise first met Crispin when he was CEO of Arcangelo (of which she was then a Director) and instantly realised he was an extraordinary talent in the making. So when the OAE job came up 10 years ago, it was she who encouraged him to apply. Looking back over our long involvement with the OAE, we now believe this to have been our most significant contribution to the evolution of the Orchestra. Crispin has proved to be nothing short of phenomenal as a leader, not only steering the OAE through the challenges of a rapidly changing world, but taking us up to ever greater heights of achievement and recognition. Thank you Crispin from the bottom of our hearts, and long may you reign!”
Sir Martin Smith, Life President and Lady Smith OBE (Elise), Honorary Council
“Crispin is passionate about music, about the OAE and the people in it, about education and the OAE’s context at Acland Burghley. He is an inspirational, incredibly compelling advocate for the orchestra, regularly hypnotising audiences, donors, supporters with his rhetoric, and has time and again acted on our behalf with wonderful vision and courage. He makes soup, risers, curtains, acoustic panels, films, big decisions, connections, and somehow still has the capacity to be totally dumbfoundingly surprising even after we’ve known him this long. Thank you dear Crispin.”
Matthew Truscott, Leader
“No grass has ever grown under Crispin’s feet. This is a man in perpetual motion, and all to the benefit of the OAE. Over the last ten years we have tried very hard to alight on things Crispin can’t do, but to no avail. He can make neon signs, orchestral staging, pop videos, costumes, smoke machines. But he can also create the conditions for colleagues and players to thrive and give the best of themselves. The OAE is incomparably better for Crispin’s ten-year-tenure, and braced for much more of his unique leadership.”
Imogen Charlton-Edwards, Chair
“One thing that really defined Crispin’s amazing ability to respond to situations and create something that enhanced everyone’s existence was, of course, the pandemic. The speed and creativity with which he created projects and funding which kept the orchestra playing, bonded and positive was wonderful and everyone one of our (initially) weekly PAC meetings as Covid hit was astonishing. It is wonderful – and exhausting sometimes – to work with someone who thinks so energetically and positively in the musical sector. Thank you Crispin!”
Steven Devine, Principal Keyboard
