Harlequin Brass

LEAD TRUMPET

Brian is currently lead trumpet of Harlequin Brass, Principal trumpet of Nottingham Philharmonic Orchestra, Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra, and Principal Cornet of South Yorkshire Police Band. His experience playing in Brass Bands is vast and has won National titles in the last five decades and two European titles. He has been a peripatetic Brass and Woodwind teacher for The Music for Schools Foundation for over 30 years.

TROMBONE

Rupert has been playing trombone, piano and drums since getting the music bug at school. He studied at Birmingham Conservatoire with Denis Wick and then at the Royal Academy of Music, London. A triple National and double European Brass Band Champion, he plays ‘as often as he possibly can’ in theatres, orchestras and big bands and has been a classroom and peripatetic music teacher for 30 years.

FRENCH HORN

Rachel studied French Horn at the Royal Northern College of Music with Mike Purton and Jonathan Goodall. She has worked with the BBC Philharmonic, Opera North and the Northern Ballet. Rachel also played in the Manchester productions of 42nd Street and Phantom of the Opera. For the last 20 years she has been principal horn with the Hallam Sinfonia in Sheffield and a member of Harlequin Brass for 18 years.

TROMBONE

Andrew is a founder member of Harlequin Brass. He is classically trained and studied under David Evans at the London College of Music. He has over 40 years experience of playing in Orchestras, Wind and Brass bands and has for the last 12 years held the Principal Trombone chair with Hallam Sinfonia in Sheffield. A recent highlight was being given the honour to lead the trombone section in the combined Sheffield Orchestras performance of Mahler’s 2nd Symphony to a packed Sheffield City Hall.

TRUMPET

Steve is a founding member of Harlequin Brass and enjoys the high trumpet parts. He began playing trumpet at school. He joined the local brass band where he was soon given opportunity to play the soprano cornet. His highest achievements came with the Brighouse & Rastrick band, winning the national final at the Royal Albert Hall and the European Championship in Kerkrade. Steve has also played in orchestras, big bands, wind bands and a soul and motown band.

TRUMPET

Lucy hails from Rotherham and began her musical journey playing cornet with Rotherham Music Service. She has since played with a number of local brass bands and currently holds the repiano cornet seat with the world-famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band. Lucy also holds the Principal Trumpet seat with the Sheffield Philharmonic Orchestra. Highlights of her career include performances at the Royal Albert Hall and the KKL Lucerne. At just 15, Lucy was invited to perform the Haydn Trumpet Concerto with the Elbland Philharmonie Sachsen in Riesa, Germany.

TRUMPET

Cat is a trumpet/flugel player from Derbyshire who completed her degree at both the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester with Murray Grieg, and at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo with Tine Ting Helseth, Jonas Haltia, and Anthony Plog. Prior to this, she was a member of a variety of youth ensembles including the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain and CBSO Youth Orchestra. Currently, she plays for Harlequin Brass, Derwent Brass, and other ensembles in the Derbyshire area as well as teaching the next generation of brass musicians.

TROMBONE

Richard started learning the trombone at the age of 11, progressing at the school and the Nottinghamshire County Music School system. Since then he has played with a wide variety of musical groups, from dance bands to orchestras. Richard currently holds the principal trombone chair with Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra and Derventio Brass, together with regular guest appearances for local symphony orchestras.

TUBA

Colin began playing cornet at the age of 12 with Mareham-Le-Fen Brass Band before moving on to the tuba. At 16, he joined the Royal Corps of Signals as a Junior Musician and in 1977 transferred to the Royal Air Force Music Services, performing with the Central Band of the RAF, the Band of the RAF College Cranwell, and the Band of the RAF Germany. As a tuba player and later Senior Drum Major, he appeared at many high-profile events, travelled worldwide, performed regularly for members of the Royal Family, and received the Queen’s Commendation in 1989. Colin currently holds the tuba chair with Hallam Sinfonia and is proud to be a member of Harlequin Brass.