Position: Sub-principal Clarinet

What year did you join the LMP?
Same year Jane Glover took over, 1984, but had played extensively before this as a dep under Harry Blech

At what age did you start playing?
Clarinet age 11, (recorder age 9, piano 14, singing for ever!)

Apart from the London Mozart Players, what other musical activities are you involved in?
Period instrument playing, extensively in the past with the Academy of Ancient Music, Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, English Concert, Hanover Band, London Classical Players, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, etc. I’m also a member of the Shackleton Trio featuring 3 period basset horns. I currently dep in Phantom of the Opera. My solo work includes recitals, solo lecture-recitals, etc, and shortly I’m to perform Weber Concerto No. 2 with the Old Barn Orchestra in Kent in November.
I’m long-standing clarinet coach to the Kent County Youth Orchestra and on the Clarinet Weekend for adult amateurs at Little Benslow Hills, Hitchin.
I do private teaching, and recently appointed professor of period clarinet at Trinity College of Music. I set up a rehearsal-record project with my son Rob, which enables students and amateurs to work at solo or ensemble repertoire in a circular process of rehearsing and listening to their recorded work in progress with a final souvenir CD.
At one time I was much involved as a singer, including seven years as a member of the 16-voice professional choir at the London Oratory.

What do you love about your instrument and why?
The sound, an elusive creaminess which I’ve spent my entire career chasing.

Which player of your instrument do you most admire and why?
Anton Stadler, for getting round the Mozart Concerto on a clarinet with far too few keys!

What is your favourite piece of music and why?
The one that I’m playing at the moment…

What other types of music do you listen to?
I tend only to listen to music when I have to study it!

How do you spend your spare time, if you have any?
Cooking and gardening, and I use the bike to go to the supermarket!