General

Catherine Swarbrick - 1st Violin

Meet members of The City of Carlisle Orchestra

John Hammond - Director

John Hammond

John Hammond is originally from Bedfordshire. Both his parents were musicians, encouraging an interest in music from the age of seven. 1981 to 1983 saw him working as a Musical Director for Penrith Savoyards followed by work as a Musical Conductor for Carlisle City Orchestra. Formally know as the Eden Concert Orchestra, John was one of the original members responsible for rebuilding the orchestra to the thriving outfit we see today. Having trained at Trinity College of Music London, where he completed a music degree, he currently works as a private music teacher, playing the piano, harpsichord and organ. Amongst his favourite works are Messiaen’s Turangalila Symphony, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4, Poulenc’s Organ Concerto, Beethoven’s Violin Concerto and Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring.

Glenys Braithwaite – Oboe

Glenys Braithwaite

Glenys Braithwaite is from Carlisle where she learned to play the recorder, clarinet and oboe as a teenager. After gaining a grade eight in music, she left sixth form to study a Diploma in Oboe and Cor Anglais at Guildhall School of Music & Drama, followed by degree in Music, Business & Management Studies from St Martin’s. She currently works as an Arts Developer with Prism Arts, Brampton. Over the years Glenys has played at the Blackpool Wintergardens with the Baptist Celebration Orchestra and The Cumberland Symphony Orchestra.

Catherine Swarbrick – 1st Violin

Catherine Swarbrick

Catherine Swarbrick is from Carlisle. After gaining an ASAM from the Royal College, she has gone on to perform with various London orchestras as well as the Samuel Violin Concerto, Solway Quartet and the Piano Quartet with David Sutton. Currently playing for special occasions, weddings and openings, her work has taken her as far north as Edinburgh and far south as Blackpool.

David Sutton – Soloist

David Sutton

David Sutton was educated at Winchester College Choir School and Churcher's College, Petersfield, where he gained a choral exhibition to Gonville, followed by Caius College, Cambridge to read music.  He has since worked with the Welsh National Opera as chorus master, repetiteur and conductor, for English National Opera as repetiteur and conductor and for Scottish Opera.  For the last 10 years he has been on the teaching staff of the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, during which time he has conducted four operas for Wilmslow Opera and ten operas for Preston Opera.  He continues to be in demand as a pianist, conductor and coach.

Gordon Kydd - Trumpet

Gordon Kydd

Gordon Kydd is from Carlisle and currently works as a professional teacher. A strong passion for music led him to learn the cornet with a local brass band at the age of twelve. He has played for several bands including, the Cumbria Youth Orchestra, the Youth Brass Band, Carlisle St Stephen’s Brass Band and Ulverston Town & Junior Band. Joining the Carlisle City Orchestra in 1986, he counts amongst his favourite works as Mahler, Shostakovich, Gabrieli and Hummel Trumpet, performing Vivaldi’s Concerto for two trumpets alongside Ian Butterworth at one of their numerous annual concerts.

By Sarah Cook