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Started playing clarinet 10 years ago
Joined Harborne Orchestra in 2002

Why did you choose the clarinet? I saw one in a junk shop ages ago at a bargain price. I never actually started learning it until my daughter started recorder. The challenge was for her to practice that, and I'd practice the clarinet. A couple of months later she'd given up, and I was hooked!

Favourite composer? Impossible question! Bach – or Beethoven - or Messiaen, or Steve Reich! (or Bartok, or Shostakovitch, or Schubert, or ….)

Favourite piece? even more impossible! Bach's Preludes and Fugues played by Glenn Gould, or Beethoven's last few piano sonatas played by Alfred Brendel, Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, Messiaen's Vingt Regards Pour L'Enfant Jesus or Reich's City Life. (or Bartok's 4th quartet, or Shostakovitch's 7th symphony, or Schubert's Death & theMaiden, or …)

Least favourite? Radetzky March! Closely followed by My Fair Lady suite.

Most frightening piece played? Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story

What's the day job? I teach mathematics at King Edward's School, also some general studies, some computer programming, and am in charge of cross country.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Walking, especially mountain walking, gardening, going to concerts, going for a run. Also, I have a weird and consuming interest in fractals, which are funny shaped things like this:

What book have you enjoyed reading recently? Human Traces by Sebastian Faulkes.

Family? Wife Judith (also a teacher) and daughter Emily, currently at vet school.

Proudest achievement? Completing the Munros last August.



	Member Profile: Richard Bridges (Chairman, Clarinet) Started playing clarinet 10 years ago Joined Harborne Orchestra in 2002 Why did you choose the clarinet? I saw one in a junk shop ages ago at a bargain price. I never actually started learning it until my daughter started recorder. The challenge was for her to practice that, and I'd practice the clarinet. A couple of months later she'd given up, and I was hooked! Favourite composer? Impossible question! Bach – or Beethoven - or Messiaen, or Steve Reich! (or Bartok, or Shostakovitch, or Schubert, or ….) Favourite piece? even more impossible! Bach's Preludes and Fugues played by Glenn Gould, or Beethoven's last few piano sonatas played by Alfred Brendel, Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, Messiaen's Vingt Regards Pour L'Enfant Jesus or Reich's City Life. (or Bartok's 4th quartet, or Shostakovitch's 7th symphony, or Schubert's Death & theMaiden, or …) Least favourite? Radetzky March! Closely followed by My Fair Lady suite. Most frightening piece played? Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story What's the day job? I teach mathematics at King Edward's School, also some general studies, some computer programming, and am in charge of cross country. What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Walking, especially mountain walking, gardening, going to concerts, going for a run. Also, I have a weird and consuming interest in fractals, which are funny shaped things like this: What book have you enjoyed reading recently? Human Traces by Sebastian Faulkes. Family? Wife Judith (also a teacher) and daughter Emily, currently at vet school. Proudest achievement? Completing the Munros last August.

Member Profile: Richard Bridges (Chairman, Clarinet)