Pete Harrison - Home Page

Latest News

The dates for this year's Queen concerts that I will be conducting have been announced! Follow the link on the right for more details and to book tickets.

6th July Warwick Castle

8th Aug Calke Abbey

16th Aug Clumber Park

23rd Aug Arundel Castle

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A Bit About Pete Harrison.

I studied bassoon at the Royal College of Music, not really sure what life would hold in store for me, but certain that something interesting would come along.

Having worked with various groups and orchestras, I was asked to play in a West End show, "The Hunting of the Snark" by Mike Batt. This led to a run of different shows including "Crazy for You" "Martin Guerre" Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" and "Lautrec" (What do you mean, you've never heard of it?!)

My first real conducting opportunity came when Jae Alexander (Musical Director) left "Crazy for You". Paul Maguire took over the position which meant we needed an extra conductor for the show, and I was offered the job. From there I carried on as assistant conductor in the subsequent shows which was a truly memorable experience.

Through my West End contacts I am now working with Andy Barnwell fixing bands for shows as well as conducting big concerts including several with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

My interest in teaching the bassoon and coaching youth orchestras and groups came about in my postgraduate year at college. I realised that I needed to start to support myself so applied to do some teaching work. One of my first jobs was advertised as 'Bassoon teacher wanted' although I ended up teaching beginner flute, clarinet and saxophone! Again, all good experience.

I was very lucky to get my first big teaching job - I had been helping out at Wells Cathedral School, as they were very short of bassoon players. This carried on through my college years and just as I was leaving, the job came up, which I applied for and got. This led to being asked to cover at the Royal Academy of Music Junior Department, and offered the job there too as the previous teacher got a job abroad. I have also had the privilege of teaching at the Purcell School, but with all the playing and other teaching, I only stayed for a year or so.