Liverpool Philharmonic Hall is still closed for another week so the RLPO are giving a performance in Liverpool Catholic Cathedral  this week with Conductor Jan Pascal Tortelier. The Programme on offer is a cracker. Strauss, Tod Und Verklang; Elgar Cello Concerto and Faure Requiem. Champion!

Dean Wright, Principal Trumpet Welsh National Opera and Professor of Trumpet Welsh College of Music

Sometimes we can go for quite a while without seeing anyone from other orchestras etc but then, like buses, plenty come along all at once. The last couple of days have been great for the RLPO… Our old friends, the Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera have been performing at the Empire Theatre in Liverpool as they are half way through their tour away from their home in Cardiff. Dean Wright, Principal Trumpet of WNO and I go back a long way together, coming from the same part of the world.

l – r Simon Powell, Simon Cowen and Blyth Lindsay

This has provided a great opportunity for some inter orchestral socialising. Added to that, our old trombone section (Blyth Lindsay and John Langford – both now retired) came out to join our new trombone section of Simon Cowen, Simon Powell and Simon Chappell for a few beers at the same time.

l – r Simon Chappell, Simon Powell, John Langford, Blyth Lindsay and Simon Cowen

John Langford, Blyth Lindsay and Simon Chappell

Simon Powell and Mark McGlaughlin

This all provides the opportunity to remember old times, catch up with the news and have a lot of laughs!Stellar freelance bass trombonist Mark Mclaughlin also happened along to join in heartily with the festivities.

The percussion section of WNO with Principal Timpanist Pat King on the left, Jonnie Helm next to him and RLPO percussionist Henry Baldwin on the right

It was not only the brass players having a good time but the percussion section of the WNO also joined forces with the percussion from our own RLPO. We were also joined by the string ladies of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra who came to Liverpool to accompany a play in the Unity Theatre.

l – r John Langford’s earlobe, Simon Chappell, Danny Hammerton and Mark McGlaughlin

RLPO bass player Danny Hammerton was also on hand to share a good tale or two.

l – r Paul Marsden, myself and Murray Grieg

We were also joined by the legendary Murray Grieg, Principal Trumpet of Opera North and Professor of Trumpet at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Murray and I were at music college at the same time as each other.

Happy days indeed!