- Student's feedback on their visit to the London Philharmonic Orchestra (part 3)
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Date Posted: Thu, 13 Mar 2025
Three students recently visited the London Philharmonic Orchestra. We spoke to them afterwards to find out how it went. Last but not least: principal timpanist Will Hume.
Watching the LPO rehearse was an amazing experience. We heard both full run-throughs, as well as seeing the process of fine-tuning certain sections of the pieces. This was amazing to see, especially considering the exclusivity of this opportunity. It was truly inspiring to me, making me even more excited to expand my knowledge in this area as I go on to study Music next year.
My lesson with Simon Carrington began by talking about my experience playing percussion to find the right place to start. This led to an overview of the basic setup of the timpani along with how to position myself at the drums, focusing on stick techniques. More specifically, we looked at how to hold the sticks to achieve a range of timbres in different situations. This is especially pertinent in Tchaikovsky's 6th Symphony which requires the several specific techniques to achieve the right sound. This is something I can work on regularly at home with sticks and a practice pad to build strength and muscle memory as advised by Simon.
All in all, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I will remember for the rest of my life. What Simon taught me in this lesson has improved my knowledge, not just as a percussionist but as a musician in general, which is something I am extremely grateful for!
- Student feedback on their visit to the London Philharmonic Orchestra (part 2)
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Date Posted: Tue, 11 Mar 2025
Three students recently visited the London Philharmonic Orchestra. We spoke to them afterwards to find out how it went. Next up: principal tuba player Thomas Pyrah.
It was indeed amazing!
Once we were given the go ahead from Richmondshire Orchestra, who were funding the lessons, we organised the travel as a group and realised that it would be easier to go down to London the night before the rehearsal.
In the morning, we met Simon Carrington (principal timpanist of the London Philharmonic Orchestra) outside the Royal Festival Hall, along with our respective principals. For Andrew and me it was the second or third time that we had met the principals, as we both recently auditioned at the Royal Academy and Guidhall.
We then got to sit in the best seats of the Royal Festival Hall, as it was only open to patrons - to see photos and video. We saw the LPO rehearse Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No.1 and Rachmaninov's Symphonic Dances. This was a great experience, as it helped me to see a professional orchestra rehearse. After that I travelled to the Royal Academy for my lesson.
My lesson was with Lee Tsarmaklis, principal tuba at the LPO. He helped me with creating a proper practice routine to achieve my goal of playing in a professional orchestra. He also helped with my breathing, making sure I was using enough air for the tuba. We then applied this to Tchaikovsky's Symphony No.6 and I can't wait to perform it on the 23rd March at Tennants, Leyburn!
- Student feedback on their visit to the London Philharmonic Orchestra (part 1)
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Date Posted: Thu, 6 Mar 2025
Three students recently visited the London Philharmonic Orchestra. We spoke to them afterwards to find out how it went. First up: principal trombone player Andrew Lunn.
We loved it, it was incredible!
We watched the inner workings of one of the top orchestras rehearsing before a concert. Listening to the LPO play Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky in the almost empty hall and their attention to detail will forever stick with me, as well as the interesting interactions between conductor and players.
My trombone lesson with Mark Templeton going over Tchaikovsky's 6th Symphony was truly inspiring. We covered everything from breathing to what Tchaikovsky really meant when he wrong the symphony. Mark's playing and especially volume are things I aspire to recreate and his knowledgeable insight into the music industry was incredibly helpful.
Thank you so much to the Richmondshire Orchestra for funding and creating this memorable opportunity and thank you to the London Philharmonic Orchestra for welcoming us so kindly.
- Young musicians visit the London Philharmonic Orchestra
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Date Posted: Sat, 1 Mar 2025
Three young musicians, due to perform with Richmondshire Orchestra at the end of March 2025, recently visited the London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) for individual lessons with principal musicians.
Andrew Lunn (18, trombone), Thomas Pyrah (18, tuba) and Will Hume (17, timpani), all currently studying A-levels at Richmond School, travelled to London during February half term. The visit, funded by Richmondshire Orchestra, included a 1.5-hour individual lesson with LPO principal musicians Simon Carrington (timpani), Mark Templeton (trombone) and Lee Tsarmaklis (tuba).
Thomas and Lee explored the ‘bread and butter’ of playing brass instruments, flexibility and scales, before applying it to key passages in Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.6. “Using Lee’s advice I created a regular practice routine to develop my technical ability” explained Thomas, “Lee also helped me with breathing properly as this was causing some issues and I am now actively including this in my everyday practice.”
“I was excited and a little nervous about my lesson” said Will, “We started by talking about my experience playing percussion to find the right place to begin. Simon explained how to achieve a range of timbres and tones by changing how I hold the sticks and the best way to tune timpani mid-performance – a crucial skill to develop. I cannot wait to perform Tchaikovsky’s 6th symphony next month and put these skills into practice.”
The three young musicians were also given the opportunity to watch the London Philharmonic Orchestra in rehearsal. “We had an incredible time in London, where we watched the inner workings of a top orchestra”, Andrew Lunn tells us after their return to Richmondshire Orchestra the following day. “Listening to the LPO rehearse Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky in the almost empty hall, their attention to detail and observing interactions between conductor and musicians will forever stick with me.”
All three students will be performing as principals with Richmondshire Orchestra at their next concert. “I have been thrilled by the positive impact and relationship we have built with the students we have performing with us” says orchestra conductor, Martin Budgett, “They have brought a new dynamic to the orchestra and it is fantastic to see their enjoyment of the experience.”
Richmondshire Orchestra next performs Tchaikovsky’s 6th Symphony ‘Pathétique’ and Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D Major with violinist Andrew Long on Sunday 23rd March 2025 at The Garden Rooms Tennants.
Tickets £15 each (16 and under, free). Visit Richmondshire Orchestra Upcoming-Events for more details and to book tickets.
- Violinist Andy Long returns as Richmondshire Orchestra soloist.
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Date Posted: Sat, 22 Feb 2025
We're pleased to welcome back violinist Andy Long to perform Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D Major on Sunday 23rd March 2025.
Speaking with Andy about the upcoming concert, he tells us:
"Playing the Beethoven concerto has been described as climbing Everest for violinists. The length alone is daunting enough but the technical challenges lay the performer bare before the audience. There really is nowhere to hide! Having said that, it's absolutely glorious and rightly revered and loved in equal measure.
I'm so looking forward to joining up once again with Martin and Richmondshire Orchestra and of course to playing in such a beautiful part of the world."
Described by the American Record Guide, Andy's performances provide "sensitivity, vigour and taste in equal proportions."
After many years of freelancing as an orchestra leader, Andy held the positions of Associate Leader with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Opera North. As a soloist he has given concerto and recital performances throughout Britain, Norway, the Czech Republic, Germany, Belgium and Poland, where he gave a live televised performance of Elgar's violin sonata. He is also a regular recitalist at the Duke of Westminster's country home. Andy led the Performing Arts Symphony Orchestra for many years and regularly performed solos to audiences of over 16,000 people. He was a tutor at Chetham's School of Music for 15 years and taught privately for Sir Yehudi Menuhin.
Andy is a keen exponent of contemporary music and with his quartet and ensemble has commissioned many new works and recorded CDs. Naxos recommended his recording of Kevin Malone's "Eighteen Minutes" as one of their Top 20 tracks from their catalogue of 1.9 milion to choose from. His recent commission of Malone's new violin concerto "A Day In The Life" has been performed several times to critical acclaim.
Andy also conducts, arranges for and presents the Andy Long Orchestra where he indulges his passion for the light music and easy listening genre. Their website is andylongorchestra.com
His recordings with Ian Buckle of music for violin and piano by Sir Edward German and Humphrey Procter-Gregg are on worldwide release. For three years, Andy had the privilege of playing a magnificent 1735 Guarneri "del Gesu" and now plays a violin made by Carlos Libreros in 2020.
Andy previously performed with Richmondshire Orchestra in December 2022 when he performed Bruch's Biolin Concerto No.1 in G minor.For more information, see: https://richorch.makingmusicplatform.com/dbpage.php?pg=view&dbase=events&id=196302
- Introducing Suzanne Fawden
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Date Posted: Mon, 4 Nov 2024
We're very pleased to introduce our soloist for 'All Abroad!' Suzanne Fawden and are very excited to work with her on Berzlioz' Harold in Italy.
Following on from a scholarship to The Purcell School, Suzanne studied for four years at the Royal Northern College of Music with Vicci Wardman and then subsequently with John White on a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in London. During this time she performed Harold in Italy with the New Phoenix Orchestra in Northampton under Martin Budgett and later with the Kettering Symphony Orchestra. Following on from her formal training she enjoyed working with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, Thursford Christmas Spectacular, Chamber Orchestra Anglia, Bangor Music Festival, Sheffield Symphony Orchestra and Silver Strings String Quartet.
More recently she has been busy bringing up her five children amongst an ever growing collection of chickens, sheep, dogs and ponies in West Somerset. She balances her home life with her busy teaching practice and is also now enjoying getting out and about with her viola again!
Book tickets for 'All Abroad!' here: https://www.richmondshireorchestra.org.uk/All-Abroad!For more information, see: https://www.richmondshireorchestra.org.uk/All-Abroad!
- Thank you for supporting Herriot Hospice Homecare!
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Date Posted: Wed, 7 Aug 2024
Well, just over 3 weeks since 'Vives les Olympiques' and we're ready for post-concert wrap up. There were some ups and downs particularly in the days leading up to the concert with a slightly mad rush to find a last minute principal perc 
ussionist and a missing oboeist on the day, both due to illness - we hope both players are fully recovered.
But, we got there and the audience's delight and fun had by the orchestra made it a rousing success. It was fantastic to perform to so many supporters, new and known alike. Thanks go to Martin for guiding us through this busy programme, our members (bonus points to the trombone and tuba section for most creative and organised oufits!) and to Lady Valerie Bolton for speaking to us about Herriot Hospice Homecare.
Finally, thank you to everyone who supported us, whether you donated, came to the concert or liked/shared our posts on social media - every little helps and we're very pleased to announce that, thanks to your generous efforts, we donated £472.78 to Herriot Hospice Homecare!
- Supporting Herriot Hospice Homecare
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Date Posted: Sun, 23 Jun 2024
We're very pleased to announce that we're supporting local charity Herriot Hospice Homecare at our next concert, 'Vive les Olympiques!' on Sunday 14th July. Herriot Hospice support local families living with terminal illness and bereavement. They are currently developing a new hospice at the former Lambert Memorial Hospital in Thirsk.
This warm and welcoming space will offer inpatient hospice care, bereavement support rooms, a cafe and a community hub facility, bringing inpatient hospice care closer to home for families in Thirsk, Northallerton, Hambleton and Richmondshire. It will mean people don't have to make long and uncomfortable journeys when they, or someone important to them, is at the end of their life. The Lambert will also provide increased emotional wellbeing and bereavement support locally, as well as a hub for the HOME Service and Wellbeing Network.
The redevelopment of the Lambert Memorial Hospice, kickstarted by partnerships with Lambert League of Friends and the former Hambleton District Council, will cost more than £1.7m. Herriot Hospice also received a grant of £250,000 from the Community Ownership Fund and Levelling Up Fund.
Richmondshire Orchestra is supporting this project with a donation from the proceeds of ticket sales at 'Vive les Olympiques' on Sunday 14th July, so the bigger the audience, the bigger the donation! There will also be opportunities at the concert to donate directly to Herriot Hospice and to find out more about their work. https://www.herriothh.org.uk/
So, support their incredible work and get your tickets for 'Vive les Olympiques' now!
https://www.tennantsgardenrooms.com/what-s-on/events/vive-les-olympiques-concert-by-the-richmondshire-orchestra/
- Welcome to our new website!
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Date Posted: Sun, 26 May 2024
We are very pleased to launch our new-look website and members area!
Combining our favourite features of the previous website with a fresh feel and updated photographs we hope you'll find the new site attractive and easy to use. The new website is supported by Making Music who provide a platform for music-making groups of all types to help manage groups in one convinient, user-friendly place so we can spend more time making music.
"It's fantastic to see the new website go live after many months hard-work and the Committee is very thankful for all those orchestra members who have given up their time to support and manage the transition" says Orchestra Publicity Officer, Rebecca. "We're looking forward to developing the website with new areas and new features to show who we are and what we do."
If there is something you would like to see on the website, get in touch with the Committee by filling out the form on the Contact Page.
