Christmas started early for me this year. Throughout September and October I’ve been busy orchestrating for a Sinatra Christmas programme which Raymond Gubbay is promoting – great Sinatra tunes like Have yourself a merry little Christmas, The Christmas Waltz, The Christmas Song and of course White Christmas. Also ready is the new Sound of Musicals programme for

To say Richard’s diary of late has been eclectic is an understatement. In fact in just one afternoon last weekend, he found himself conducting the BBC Concert Orchestra for soprano Danielle de Niese, Russell Watson, trumpet soloist Alison Balsom, jazz singer Caro Emerald and American Superstars – The Jacksons, earning himself possibly his first knuckle

Last week, Mary Carewe and I paid a visit to the Menier Chocolate Factory to see What’s It All About? Bacharach Reimagined. Given we are often immersed in Bacharach’s music ourselves, we were intrigued to see all the music we know so well….reimagined! I can always tell when Mary is enjoying something musical. Her legs

At the end of this month, we are returning to the Proms at Snape Maltings, this time with our 60’s concert – Symphonic 60’s, with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. In 2013, we made our GRB Concerts debut with our Burt Bacharach programme, and a packed house sang along to all the classic Bacharach hits. We are

On Sunday GRB Concerts return to Sage Gateshead for our fourth concert with the Royal Northern Sinfonia. Having already performed our Bacharach, 60’s and Swing programmes, we return with our tribute to British musical theatre successes – Made In Britain…The Best of The British Musicals. From Gilbert & Sullivan to Andrew Lloyd Webber, Noel Coward to

My journey through the building site at Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool reminds me of an odd but proud ‘first’. The Wales Millennium Centre, a superb arts centre located in the Cardiff Bay area of Cardiff opened to the public in November 2004. Months before its first public performance, Ria Jones and I were invited to

I have never had to begin a concert rehearsal with a health and safety briefing, but given the Philharmonic Hall is someway into a huge rebuilding programme, and access to and from the temporary stage door is via a full on building site, it was only to be expected. The front of house areas have

This Saturday, GRB Concerts will be in Liverpool at the Philharmonic Hall, with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.  It’s always a thrill to return to my home city, and to the hall where I first heard the glory of a symphony orchestra as a young student. That thrill is even greater as we will get

And the orchestra didn’t let us down! Not only playing with their renowned flair and enthusiasm, but many had dug deep into their wardrobes and discovered a vast array of 60’s gear to enhance our concert programme. The audience were somewhat stunned as the orchestra took to the concert platform. We had The Beatles, Mary