BRASS players from Wirral Symphony Orchestra and Wilmslow Symphony Orchestra will join in Liverpool to celebrate the life of a former trumpet player.

Welshman, Rhys Owens, who lived in Claughton, was well known throughout classical music circles in the UK as the Principal Trumpet player with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (RLPO).

Rhys joined the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic in 1991 as fourth trumpet and was promoted to Section Principal in 1998. 

He was forced to retire as Principle Trumpet with the RLPO last year after 30 years of service following a Motor Neurone Disease (MND) diagnosis in 2021.

Rhys passed away in March 2022.

On Saturday, March 18 at 7.30pm, brass players from Wirral Symphony Orchestra and Wilmslow Symphony Orchestra will assemble in Liverpool to celebrate the life of Rhys.  

The concert, which will raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, is being held in Liverpool Parish Church (Our Lady and Saint Nicholas) opposite the Liver Building close to James Street and Moorfields stations.

The programme features a mix of musical styles. It includes the premiere of a specially-written composition for brass quintet, Fantasy on Calon Lân by Isabelle Ryder, as well as a performance by local operatic tenor Nick Hardy, singing pieces arranged for the occasion by a former colleague of Rhys at the RLPO, Edward Peak.

Tickets are available at www.eventbrite.co.uk or on the door.

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