20 May 2023 christine-malabar Elizabeth Rothwell As a child, I was used to seeing my father’s violin in the house – he had taught himself to play it as a boy after his mother bought it from a farm sale for 5 shillings! So when I was offered individual instrumental lessons at secondary school, the violin was a natural choice. The other instrument I would have liked to play is the trumpet!It is impossible to choose a single favourite composer or musical era. I love the works of Vivaldi and other Baroque composers but I also really enjoy the excitement and passion of the works of Romantic composers as well as the fun of the light classics and musicals.I have played in many different amateur orchestras but regrettably stopped playing for many years. A few years ago, I dusted off my father’s violin and with some trepidation joined Southport Orchestra – an excellent decision! It is certainly challenging but is very enjoyable music making with a very friendly and supportive group of people. Hugh Dixon With family influence, I first started playing Piano, before clarinet & finally bassoon & would like to have a go on either contra-bassoon or contra-bass clarinet.Once guested for Hastings Orchestra doing a concert nearby in the town Battle only for that to be a big battle against the noisy weather outside!I like the challenge of some big pieces especially the Russian composers as in recent concerts. Also, Southport Orchestra has regulars on most instruments which, means that we are more ready for the concerts. Geraldine Mcdermott We were offered the chance to play violin in school and I don’t remember having a choice of instrument. My sister and I started learning together. It must have been hard on the family listening to us practicing but we persevered and we loved playing in the school orchestra. Life intervened and I didn’t play for many years but eventually returned to playing with the ambition to play in an orchestra again. Southport Orchestra very kindly took me in, despite being very rusty! I love the orchestra. It’s always a challenge but it is wonderful to be a part of such a fantastic group and to have the chance to play with such talented musicians. Geraldine Foster Elizabeth Spensley David Byles David originates from West London, moving to Manchester at an early age, and eventually to Southport. A lifelong Salvationist, he has always been involved with music, learning the piano and brass instruments as a child. Most of his many compositions are for brass band, but also for piano, xylophone, and voices, and he is proud that his work is played, recorded and published in this country and overseas. He studied music theory, composition, performance and conducting under Richard Evans, Darroll Barry and Arthur Butterworth to gain his B.A. Honours degree in Band Studies. More recently, he has recorded a CD of piano music, and written and published a book of original Christmas poetry. For many years he has been principal percussionist of Southport Citadel Band, has played with a Championship contesting band, and now enjoys the musical challenges of playing timpani and percussion in the orchestra. He is married with 3 sons and 4 grandchildren and having retired from work in the computer industry and music education his main interest is tracing his family history. David Bate I learned to play a brass instrument at the age of 7, followed by the Cello at 11 and as an adult I played Euphonium and Trombone with various Salvation Army bands until I stopped playing in 1987.After retirement, in 2010, I returned to playing after a twenty-three year break and following my move to Formby I joined the Southport Orchestra in 2015. Christopher Creswell Christopher Johnson How did you come to play the violin?My first real contact with classical music was starting to learn to play the piano at about 7 years old. At secondary school, I took up the recorder and played in the school orchestra. I liked playing as part of a group and an Aunt down in Brighton had a violin in her loft. But it was brought up to Burnley, set up and I started to learn to play it.What is your orchestral experience?I soon changed to violin in the school orchestra and eventually became leader. As a physics teacher, I played in other school orchestras, but for about 30 years, I was a member of Glasgow Symphony Orchestra as a second violin. Christine Simpson I really enjoy playing with the Orchestra. I am a late starter, only realising what I was missing out on when my kids started to play. I was ferrying them around and thought I fancy this too... so I got a cello and started. I was fortunate as I could read music as I had played piano but otherwise there is a lot to learn and practice. It’s a very good antidote to the day job and great fun. I only wish I had discovered it all a bit earlier. My kids teacher has been great and lets me play along in their orchestra as I learn.My most memorable concert ever was in Rufford Old Hall in December .It was soo cold! It’s difficult to play a cello in scarf , coat and gloves! Christine Baker -Violin 2 Who or what inspired you to play music?My mother played the piano and we used to have sessions standing round the piano having a sing-songDo you have a favourite piece of music or composer?I love Mendelssohn, especially his music for A Midsummer Night’s Dream and his violin concerto.What do you like most about playing with Southport Orchestra?I like the friendly atmosphere and the way we have fun rehearsing but at the same time work hard to produce the best concerts we can. Anna Scott Andrew Taujanskas - 1st Violin Over the last 20 or so years I have played violin and viola (although not at the same time!) in a number of amateur Orchestras including a spell with the Whitehall Orchestra which is the Civil Service Orchestra in London.Most of my early playing career involved playing keyboards and piano in various pop and rock bands. Not quite Rick Wakeman, but great fun nevertheless. In the last few years, I have discovered jazz and have been studying jazz piano, my all-time jazz hero being Bill Evans. Occasionally I have also played folk music usually on the accordion, acoustic guitar or mandolin. Amber Parry Alec Gregory I have been playing in the Southport Orchestra since September 2012 after moving to Southport from the Wirral where I spent two decades making music with the Wirral Symphonic Wind Band.I started playing the trumpet at the age of eleven and also play the piano, guitar and bass guitar.After over 40 years as a classroom music teacher in Birkenhead and Liverpool I am now retired and am able to devote more time to music and my other interests which include fitness, reading, travel and cooking.My favourite composers/musicians include Mahler, Stravinsky, Mozart & Miles Davis. I greatly enjoy my time with the orchestra playing a wide range of music especially classics of the repertoire. I am also grateful for the opportunities that I have had to conduct some rehearsals. Jayne Salters Jane Lineker - Trumpet I started playing the piano when I was 7 and then the euphonium at 11; both taught by my mum, Joan Thompson, a local music teacher. I joined the Southport Youth Band in 1972 then changed to trumpet in 1977 and joinedthe Merseyside Youth Orchestra and Southport Philharmonic Orchestra.In 1978 I started a degree course at the Royal Northern College Of Music with trumpet as my main instrument. After college I became a teacher and continued to play in local amateur orchestras. My family and I returned to Southport in 2005 and I joined Marshside Brass Band on euphonium, where my grandad and great-grandad used to play. Two years ago I joined the Southport Orchestra on trumpet. When not playing I knit, crochet and do other crafts. Joanna Munro Jeff Rimmer, Musical Director Southport Orchestra is very important to me. A fantastic group of friends, working together to make great music. Working tirelessly to improve and, most importantly, enjoying the results. Playing the flute in many orchestras over the years has helped me understand the conductor's role. I have had the pleasure to observe and work with some of the best and hopefully some of it has rubbed off on me. I think I can empathise with all my musical colleagues and can hopefully see things from both sides.The net result is a fabulous orchestra, of whom I am immensely proud to say, I am their conductor. It is an honour to do this and one I will never take for granted. When I eventually hang up my boots (ok, baton!) I will look back on this time with great affection and pride. Joseph Judge I am a retired former solicitor. My wife Jean is a pianist and organist. After a ten year gap from national service to the birth of our third daughter ( a violinist, pianist and singer) I started playing in a string quartet led by my bank manager. Ten years later I joined the Southport Orchestra. Thanks to lessons with our leader Lesley I am still a member. I owe much to the conducting of Helen Hogg, Michael Walder and Gordon Hughes and now Jeff Rimmer.My favourite composer is J S Bach and I like best his cantatas and the keyboard suites and chorale preludes my wife plays.I enjoy reading history and ethics books,watching skilful players of any moving ball and struggling to hit a stationary one. Julie Sims Karen Hickmanlever Lauren Bagnall Marian Garnett I love music from Beethoven, to Beatles to Bruce and delight in playing the violin.I learned at secondary school but have only played orchestrally for school productionsand at Southport Orchestra level over the last few years. I was an English teacher and love all things musical and poetic. For me, music, nature, words, orchestral playing have a mystical quality: they communicate deeply. The Southport Orchestra is bursting with highlytalented, enthusiastic players and I thoroughly enjoy the welcomingfriendly atmosphere. Melanie Ashton Merial Nutter I started playing the flute when I was studying O Level music when it was suggested a second instrument may be helpful as I was a less than brilliant pianist. I went on to study music at a teacher training college in Ripon where flute very quickly became my main instrument. On leaving college gradually my flute playing became sidelined until a wind band was started at my children’s primary school. As the children grew so did my desire to play better and eventually I found a teacher, Mike Walker, who became a conductor for Southport Orchestra and said if you pass your grade 8 and get a piccolo you can join. I’ve been in the orchestra ever since and loved every minute of it. The same teacher also started Preston Flute Group which I still play in.I attend flute courses and flute Summer Schools regularly. As a break from playing I enjoy walking with a couple of local walking clubs and regularly lead walks for them. Nigel Kench - Flute Penny Foley - Viola How did I choose my instrument: I took up the violin when I was 10. My Great Aunt gave me a violin which belonged to her sweetheart who died in World War 1. Seven years later I also learnt the viola which I enjoyed playing.Who inspired me to play music: My Dad. He played the piano every day and often had friends visiting our house to play piano quartets. I enjoyed playing duets with him.Why is Southport Orchestra important to me: I've been given a new viola for my 70th birthday as I hope to be playing with the orchestra for many more years - I joined in 1992. Tuesday evenings are the highlight of my week. Trish Jolley - Principal Viola I joined the Southport orchestra in September 2015, following a 10 year break from playing and absolutely love my Tuesday night rehearsals and being part of such a friendly group of musicians.I am from the North East (Hartlepool) and have been playing viola since I was 10 years old. My greatest moment was playing in the Albert Hall with the Cleveland Youth Orchestra and Julian Lloyd Webber … an unforgettable experience. Over the years I have enjoyed playing in various orchestras and musical ensembles including having fun playing in the pit orchestra for various Amateur Dramatic Productions. I work as a counsellor in private practice and I am married with 2 grown up children and a beautiful little granddaughter. Peter Foster Philip Appleton Why did you choose your instrument? I didn’t! It was chosen for me by the school music teacher who needed a horn for the school orchestra.Why do you like Southport Orchestra? It’s a fun and friendly place to play. We play some great music and take it seriously but there’s always a lighter side to rehearsals too.Favourite composers? I enjoy music of many styles and periods but my favourite pieces are mostly from the romantic period. Sally Robbins Richard Larsen Pass Sarah Dempsey Who or what inspired you to play music?My parents always had classical music on in the house. They also took me to see Handel's Messiah when I was 5. They had more faith in me than the people next to us who looked horrified when I sat down! Luckily I was in awe throughout.Do you have a favourite piece of music or composer?The power of William Walton's Crown Imperial never fails to impress. It also reminds me of a fond youth orchestra performance I took part in.Why is Southport Orchestra important to you?It's a fantastic opportunity to play with some wonderful musicians, to tackle some great lesser-known works, and to generally have fun! Simon Barker The start of my musical career was on the inevitable recorder when at school. I was then influenced by my father who was a church organist and inspector of schools for music to move onto the clarinet which I have been trying to play ever since. While studying maths at Worcester College, Oxford I was a member of the University Wind Orchestra and also played in student stage productions. After graduating I had a career in software engineering mainly on defence projects such as Vanguard submarines and the Typhoon jet fighter. During this time there were opportunities to perform with various scratch orchestras and concert bands but nothing permanent until about 15 years ago when I was invited to join Southport Orchestra. It has been privilege to have this opportunity to perform such great music and take part in many memorable concerts. After retiring about in 2018 I now organise the Midweek Music concerts at Christ Church in Southport where I am also a member. Away from the music I am interested in family history, walking, geocaching, gardening, crime fiction and baking. Stephen Collins Steve Fowle I started playing the violin at school. Many years later I had a go at the Viola and fell in love with its' warm tone and its position in the heart of the harmony within the orchestra.Music gave me my first job - working in a shop. I used to busk outside and the owners supplied me with tea and eventually employment as well. I don't think it was just to shut me up.....!For me the best thing about SO is the camaraderie and enthusiasm of the members, playing a varied repertoire to an increasingly high standard in a friendly and supportive environment. Stuart Baker How did you end up playing your chosen instrument? My first music teacher was a viola player and he steered me to try it instead of learning to play the violin.Do you have a favourite piece of music or composer? So many to choose from, but my earliest memories of classical music were listening as a child to recordings of Tchaikovsky’s symphonies and they have remained in my memory ever since.Why is Southport Orchestra important to you? We are a welcoming and friendly orchestra. We take our music and our performances seriously and we have a lot of enjoyment doing it. Tom Battersby While I played cello at school, I later graduated to this proper-sized instrument. As well as this orchestra, l play in the Crosby Symphony Orchestra, the folk band Time Ashore and also ceilidhs with the Canty Band. Heaving a big double bass around is not straightforward - which is why I always get to Southport Orchestra early to bag a car park space near the building! Tyrrian De Ville Veronica Curtis After leaving school my French Horn lay in the loft for many years but about 20 years ago I dug it out and became a member of Southport Orchestra. It has been a positive, enjoyable experience, meeting and working with other music-makers. I have been privileged to make many friends, to play a huge range of pieces and take lessons to improve my ability. At school I could never have guessed what a gift it would be. 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