I’m not sure whether or not I was looking forward to Christmas this time. In my youth, the contents of my stocking consisted of an orange, a half-crown and a lump of coal. And the promise of more later. When…
Continue reading →“Let’s go to the seaside!” What a nice uncomplicated request from the children. And another, “It’s your birthday on Saturday; we’ll have a party for a few of your friends”. Great fun. For the children, the first suggestion instantly conjures…
Continue reading →While it always continued its vital contribution on the hunting field, outside this environment the horn gradually learned to wipe its boots carefully, and come into further prominence at Aprês Chasse gatherings in the wealthy landowners’ drawing rooms. It was only a…
Continue reading →To begin with – a few disclaimers; I speak as a teacher who, try as he might, has not himself always adhered to all the advice that he will give in the following pages: it is better to be honest….
Continue reading →It is an understandable trait of human nature that our priorities do not always allow us to show much more than a cursory interest in the details of a situation that seems to work satisfactorily on its own. In our…
Continue reading →It was almost exactly thirty-five years ago, on a Thursday early in June, that the events I am going to relate occurred. Yesterday, I found an old photograph of one of my sons and myself. It brought to my mind…
Continue reading →I am a musician, and more than in most professions, it is essential that musicians have a hobby. Fishing is mine. My ‘chosen’ profession was thrust on me really, rather than chosen, as I wasn’t much good at anything else….
Continue reading →Dear Friends, at long last, I am delighted to announce the publication of my Studies and Technical Exercises for the horn. The Creative Horn Player is over sixty pages and contains a collection of 44 technical exercises and melodic studies….
Continue reading →A few nights ago, I watched a wonderful music documentary about Jacqueline du Pré on BBC Four. It is an inspired film that I can thoroughly recommend. It reminded me of a special moment, many years ago. But I must…
Continue reading →‘Follow your instincts’ we are often told when looking to the immediate future and seeking reassurance. It is often good advice. Life is for living, and it is easy to be tempted to ‘go for it’ when it comes to…
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