Musical Director - Paul Speed
Trumpet Player
Paul started playing the trumpet aged ten and went on to get a degree in Music from Goldsmiths University. He is now a highly-respected music teacher at various schools. These include Wellington College, St Swithun’s School, Pangbourne College, the Royal Grammar School and The Abbey School.
Paul has played for many orchestras as a freelance trumpeter, including the Hong Kong Philharmonic, London Concert Orchestra, New London Sinfonia, and the Philharmonie der Nationen in Germany. He recently played live on radio with the Italian chamber orchestra Musica Saeculorum, performing on period instruments. Paul currently plays with the Chiltern Brass Quintet and the Brazilian ensemble, Polcas e Boas.
Conducting
Paul started conducting at college, helping with various chamber ensembles. He also took wind and brass sectionals for the University of London Orchestra and the University of Exeter Orchestra. Not only is he the musical director for Trinity Concert Band, but also a brass band, an additional wind band and the annually formed Big & Brassy event. Paul is also co-conductor of the Brass for Africa Brass Band.
Charity Work
Locally-based charity Brass for Africa is a cause close to Paul’s heart. He is proud to have helped develop and deliver a teacher training programme for orphanages in the slums of Uganda and Liberia. His time in both countries is something that will stay with him forever.
Since joining us in 2012, Paul has brought out the best in our playing. He spoke recently of his highlights with the band:
“We have performed so many outstanding concerts it’s difficult to pick favourites, but I have always enjoyed collaborating with other groups or soloists. Performing Stephen Roberts Euphonium Concerto with David Childs was a special occasion. So too were our concerts with the Tamesis Chamber Choir and the vocal duet Indigo May.”
We are especially grateful to him for leading us to our Platinum Award in the finals of the 2018 National Concert Band Festival.
You can listen to our NCBF performance of Nigel Hess’ Dark Lochnagar on our videos page.