Maurice Murphy, the former principal cornet player of Black Dyke and for over 30 years, the principal trumpet player of the London Symphony Orchestra has been awarded the MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honour’s List.

MBE

The Order of the British Empire, Member (MBE) is in regonition of his services to music.

Maurice Harrison Murphy was born in Hammersmith in 1935, before moving to the North East and playing for Crookhall and Harton before a move to the Yewco Band.

...he cemented his reputation as one of the leading trumpeters in the orchestral world, and his distinctive sound was heard to millions of fans on Hollywood films4BR

Black Dyke

He later moved to Fairey’s as assistant principal cornet but in March 1957 became principal cornet of Black Dyke succeeding David Pratt. He stayed with the band until 1962, his last appearance with the band at a concert in Bradford in May that year.

Murphy later became a revered orchestral trumpeter with the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra before his move to the London Symphony Orchestra in 1977.

Reputation

There he cemented his reputation as one of the leading trumpeters in the orchestral world, and his distinctive sound was heard to millions of fans on Hollywood films such as 'Star Wars', 'Superman' and the 'Indiana Jones' trilogy.

He officially retired from the principal position in 2007 but still played regularly with the orchestra as well as undertaking high profile freelance work.

In 2009 he returned briefly to the banding world to present his great friend Richard Evans with his All England Masters Dedicated Service Award.

You can listen to his interview with 4BR by clicking on the link.