The last rehearsal I attended this year with Hitchin Band was (I think!) on 12th March. The planned rehearsals for the run up to the Area contest in Stevenage were cancelled due to the postponement of the Area contest. My last concert was on March 14th with Bloomsbury Chamber Orchestra. What, no concerts? By now, I would have performed in many concerts, with Hitchin Band and a few other groups that I play regularly with. I read today that my…
Working from home is probably very new to many people in this Covid era. This is my third time working from home for an extended period so I thought I’d write some thoughts on how this “concept” has evolved over the years. There are many other articles out there offering tips and hints on working from home, sticking to a schedule, setting up a separate working environment etc so I won’t necessarily go into that! I first started working from…
March 2020 is going to be quite a busy and diverse one from a trumpeting perspective with a very different gig each weekend where I will get to perform quite a wide variety of music and musical styles. It all kicks off on Saturday 7th where I will be playing with the Bloomsbury Chamber Orchestra. This year, BCO are playing music by Spanish and French composers. I will do my best to channel my inner matador in Manuel de Falla’s…
A new decade, or is it the last year of the previous 🙂 anyway, 2020 sees me 17 years since I left the Isle of Man 2 years in remission from Hairy Cell Leukaemia! yay! New Job at Numerous 🙂 Sadly, having to step down from regular Trumpet at North London Symphony Orchestra & City of London Symphonic Winds 🙁 It’s hard to believe that it’s 17 years since I packed up and left the Isle of Man after living…
When people find out that both my wife, Helen and I are musicians, then find out we’re trumpet players, and then find out Helen is a professional singer, the next question usually is do we get to perform together often. Well, the answer is yes we do from time to time, in bands (wind band, brass band and occasionally orchestra if MrsQ gets time to write out the transpositions, typical brass bander…), but I rarely get the opportunity to be…
Better late then never but here is my post relating to this years Prudential Ride London which took place on August 4th. I chose to raise funds again this year for the marvellous people at Bloodwise and it was a privilege again to ride in their colours. The ride this year could not have been more different than 2018 in many ways. Firstly, in terms of my preparation and training, I exceeded my training miles this year over 2018 by…
For our second concert of 2019, the North London Symphony Orchestra will be featuring works by British Composers, Bax, Walton and Vaughan-Williams. Returning to St James in Muswell hill, the orchestra under the baton of Robert Max will perform:- Tintagel: Bax Viola Concerto: Walton, to be performed by Alinka Rowe A London Symphony: Vaughan-Williams It is certainly an interesting program for brass as we have lots to do, but it is also a very musical performance. The Walton and the…
I will be riding Prudential Ride London again on August 4th 2019 raising funds for Bloodwise. For those of you not familiar with Bloodwise, they fund world-class research into all types of blood cancer. They are also there for blood cancer patients – they support anyone worried about blood cancer with expert information and advice. After 2018’s rain soaked event, I’m sure I’m with every other rider in the 2019 event hoping for better weather (and, of course better times!)…
After years of being asked and having to turn it down due to brass band competition clash, I finally am available to attend and play for my father in law, Julian Power who conducts the Isle of Man Choral Society and The Isle of Man Symphony Orchestra for their major annual concert together. I was a regular member of the Manx Sinfonia (as they were known then) when I lived on the IOM, so expecting a few familiar faces. The…
NLSO open their 2019 season in St James Church, Muswell Hill playing music by Bizet, Korngold and Brahms (third racket…) Date: Saturday 23 March 2019Time: 7.30 pmVenue: St James Church Muswell HillSt James LaneLondon N10 3DB Conductor: ROBERT MAX Programme: BIZET: Carmen Suite No. 1KORNGOLD: Violin Concerto (Soloist: BEATRICE PHILIPS)BRAHMS: Symphony No.3 Click here for tickets…