Samuel Coles

Flute

Principal Flute

Samuel Coles was educated at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and at the Paris Conservatoire winning the Premier Prix in 1987. His many other awards include first prize in both the Scheveningen International Flute Competition in Holland and the National Flute Association Young Artists Competition in San Diego and 2nd Prize in the Jean Pierre Rampal Competition 1987.

Portrait of Sam Coles

He has played guest principal with the London Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Opéra de Paris, Orchestra de Radio France, and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra.

He has performed as a soloist with the Orchestre de Paris, the Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra, the Residentie Orchestra of the Hague and the English Chamber Orchestra, with whom he recorded all the Mozart concertos under the direction of Sir Yehudi Menuhin. He is the principal flute in the Philharmonia Orchestra and is a teacher at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

The Principal Flute Chair is endowed by Norbert and Sabine Reis.

Endowment opportunities at the Philharmonia offer supporters unique access and insights to our players. Find out more here.

Watch a film featuring Samuel Coles: