Tess Jackson is a dynamic British conductor who is quickly gaining an international reputation. She has been named a Classic FM Rising Star and just completed a two-year tenure as Associate Conductor of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.
Her versatility spans a broad repertoire with a commanding presence in both symphonic and operatic works. Her 2024–25 season included a celebrated debut at the BBC Proms in three separate concerts, with the National Youth Orchestra with Holst’s The Planets, Britten Sinfonia with Gavin Higgins’ Rough Voices, and the Royal Northern Sinfonia at the Glasshouse.
She also made her Berliner Philharmonie debut, ENO debut (The Marriage of Figaro) and conducted performances of West Side Story and Cabaret at Volksoper Vien. At Lyric Opera Chicago, she assisted Enrique Mazzola on Fidelio and Medea.
This season she returns to Royal Northern Sinfonia to conduct a programme of Prokofiev, Saint-Saëns, Ravel, and Poulenc in November, conducts two performances of La Traviata at Garsington Opera, as well as collaborations with CBSO, Britten Sinfonia and her continued work as Emerging Conductor Fellow with Chromatica Orchestra.
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Britten Sinfonia - BBC Proms
Bristol Beacon, (August 2025)
Tess Jackson, NYO’s associate conductor and a former orchestra member, was on the podium for the Higgins. She was an absolutely steady, clear presence, thoughtfully shaping this five-movement work. […] This performance had many highlights: the way Jackson conjured real anticipation in the opening hush; awe-inspiring chords that gathered in power; expressive and true cornet solos; and powerful metallic, percussive industrial sounds, evoking the thwacks of pickaxes striking coal.
Rebecca Franks, The Times
Rough Voices by Gloucestershire-born Gavin Higgins, a musical response to the pandemic, saw conductor Tess Jackson as well as a brass section join proceedings, with crashing trumpets rudely interrupting the strings. The music was Jaws-like at times, something dangerous lurking not too far from the surface
Martin Booth, B24/7
The Royal Northern Sinfonia - CBeebies Prom
The Glasshouse, Gateshead (July 2025)
The Royal Northern Sinfonia, under the capable baton of Tess Jackson, was at the heart of the performance, providing a dynamic and often playful underscore to the adventure. Conductor Tess Jackson even joined in the presentation, adding to the interactive feel.
Chris Caspell, Classical Source
Catalyst: The National Youth Orchestra and The National Youth Brass Band
Royal Festival Hall (April 2025)
Conductor Tess Jackson was impressively disciplined and drew a terrific performance from all her players, keeping the large forces under control yet letting the young players' energy and enthusiasm shine through.
Planet Hugill
Tess Jackson drew an immensely mature response from her players (the main soloists of the NYBBGB in particular) – tautly balancing the subsidiary role of the orchestra in response to the core of bubbling metallic expression sat around her. It was a triumph of collaborative ambition and artistry.
Iwan Fox, 4barsrest
Conducted by Tess Jackson, one-time NYO violinist and a Classic FM “rising star”, these teenage players made light work of Gavin Higgins’s Concerto Grosso for Brass Band and Orchestra.
Fiona Maddocks, The Guardian
National Youth Orchestra, BBC Proms
Royal Albert Hall (August 2024)
It was a near miraculous feat of coordination from Tess Jackson, conducting in 360.
Flora Wilson, The Guardian
Tess Jackson has everything it takes to succeed as conductor – engaging manner, clear gestures, centered authority…let's hope the NYO invites her back to negotiate repertoire classics
David Nice, The ArtDesk
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