the county music service. Sadly, this first attempt only lasted a few months before it was decided
that he should some extensive correction work on his teeth which lasted for several years. During
this time he took the easy option and played percussion in the local youth orchestras before
returning to the horn at the age of fifteen.
When he took the it up again he began studying with Nick Firth at Repton School and
under his inspiring tutelage quickly progressed gaining a number of places at music
college.
In 1991, he began his studies at the Royal Northern College of Music with Bob Ashworth
and natural horn lessons with Becky Goldberg and Roger Montgomery. Whilst still at
college, he began to work with the orchestras in the north west of England including the
Halle, BBC Philharmonic and Opera North. He left in 1995 with a distinction in his
performing diploma and the college horn prize.
Around this time, he made an audition tape for the natal philharmonic in Durban, South
Africa. Having forgotten about it, he was thrilled to receive a call saying that he should start
on the 5th January 1996. He spent two very happy years there, honing his orchestral skills
and learning repertoire before returning to England to continue his freelance work and
audition for other jobs.
One such job was the fifth horn position in the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
Following a short trial he began working there full time and has continued to do so to this
day. He is always keen to work with other groups and has managed to play with many of
the country’s top ensembles.
Aside from a busy playing schedule, Ed is also a keen teacher and recently took on the
professor of horn position at the Royal Marines school of Music.