Philip R Buttall – Teacher, Pianist, Composer & Music Writer

Since 1993, Onyx Brass has been dominating the international brass chamber music scene. Following their recent performance in Plymouth, where they also officially opened the university's new Roland Levinsky Building, Philip, who had reviewed the recital for The Herald, suggested they might like to include his own brass arrangement of his Lone Ar-ranger! in their repertoire. Tuba player, and the ensemble's spokesman, David Gordon-Shute said: 'Having now had a chance to hear it, yes, I think that there might certainly be a slot for it either in concerts or as an encore!'

For its Celebrity Concert in May 2006, South West Sinfonietta, conducted by Tim Boulton, gave the first public performance of Philip's Autumn Embers in its version for oboe and orchestra in Plymouth Guildhall, with local oboist, Julie Throssell. The main work of the evening, Beethoven's Emperor Concerto, followed next, where the soloist was top international pianist, Stephen Hough.

Guitarist, Alison Smith, studied at Trinity College, London and now combines teaching in both the Senior and Junior Departments of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Glasgow, with a busy performing career. She gave the first performance of Philip's Autumn Embers, which has since been successfully arranged for a number of combinations, including flute & guitar.