*
banner

Death of Maurice Murphy

The death has been announced of Maurice Murphy MBE.

Murphy
 

The death has been announced of former Black Dyke Principal Cornet player and London Symphony Orchestra Principal Trumpet player, Maurice Murphy. He was 74.

Announcement

The official announcement came on Thursday 28th October on the London Symphony Orchestra’s website.

In 2007, Maurice Murphy retired from the LSO after 30 years as its Principal Trumpet – a career that had seen him become regarded as one of the world’s truly great orchestral trumpet players.

Exceptional potential

Born in Hammersmith in London, his family moved to the North East, where the young cornet player soon showed exceptional potential. He went on to become All England Juvenile Solo Champion in 1947 and was the first principal cornet of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.

Formative years

His formative playing years came with the Crookhall and Harton Colliery Bands before a move to Bradford saw him join the YEWCO Works Band, and on its demise a further move to Fairey.

He was appointed principal cornet of Black Dyke in 1957 – a position he held, regarded as the finest cornet player of his generation, until 1962.

He was a member of the Black Dyke band that memorably won the 1959 and 1961 National Championships of Great Britain, as well as the 1957 British Open.

Orchestral roles

In 1962, he left the band to become Principal Trumpet of the BBC Northern Orchestra and after 15 years service, joined the London Symphony Orchestra in the same capacity – a role that he made his own over the following 30 years.

In 2008 he received the Honorary Award of the International Trumpet Guild, given to those who have made extraordinary contributions to the art of trumpet playing4BR

Spectacular return

In 1974 he made a spectacular return to the brass band movement, when he delivered a quite stunning performance of the world premiere of the Ernest Tomlinson ‘Cornet Concerto’ at the National Championship Gala Concert, accompanied by his former band, Black Dyke.

In the following years his reputation as one of the world’s leading orchestral trumpet players was confirmed with equally stunning performances on repertoire as varied as Mahler and Strauss to the film scores of American composer John Williams – of which his playing on the main ‘Star Wars’ theme music reached an audience of hundreds of millions – even if they didn’t know just who was thrilling them with their playing as the blockbuster films unfolded before them in cinemas all over the world.

2009 return

In 2009 he returned to the brass band movement again, to present the All England Masters Dedicated Service Award to his great life long friend Richard Evans.

In a few days time the London Symphony Orchestra will be on tour in Germany, where conducted by Frank Strobel they will undertake a series of concerts featuring the music of John Williams.

Maurice Murphy’s amazing trumpet playing was featured on many of the blockbuster films Williams wrote for, including ‘Star Wars’, ‘Superman’ and ‘Indiana Jones’.

Extraordinary contribution

In 2008 he received the Honorary Award of the International Trumpet Guild, given to those who have made extraordinary contributions to the art of trumpet playing.

MBE

He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2010 New Year Honours List.

Interviews

A podcast interview with Maurice Murphy can be heard at the LSO website at: http://lso.co.uk/home/

4BR’s interview with Maurice Murphy and Richard Evans at the 2009 All England Masters Championship can be heard at:

http://www.4barsrest.com/news/detail.asp?year=2009&filter=Media&offset=75&id=9924

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


podcast

4BR Review podcast: Lessons from Europe?

October 29 • Join the discussion on whether or not UK banding can learn from the way in which our European friends host their major championship competitions.


Gregson

Gregson at 80 in Scotland

October 28 • Music by and chosen by the acclaimed composer will be performed at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland this evening.


Paul Mealor

Foden's to premiere new Paul Mealor work at leading festival

October 28 • Foden's will give the world premiere of 'Tranquil Abiding' at St Asaph Cathedral as part of the North Wales International Music Festival.


Harry Porthouse

Porthouse reprise at Leyland

October 28 • Harry Porthouse takes over the principal cornet seat at Leyland Band from Lewis Barton — following in his father's footsteps.


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the RAF

Friday 24 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Amersham Band

Friday 24 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Haverhill Silver Band - Concert in Thaxted Church

Saturday 25 October • haxted Parish Church. Watling St, Thaxted CM6 2PE


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band VE & VJ Day Remembrance Concert

Saturday 25 October • St Mary’s Church Petworth GU28 OAD


Regent Hall Concerts - Paddington Brass

Friday 31 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Leicestershire Co-op Band

October 29 • Leicester Co-op Band are inviting applications for SOLO HORN & SOPRANO CORNET. We are an ambitious band with a healthy balance of contests, concerts, and community events, always striving for high musical standards in a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere.


Linthwaite Band

October 29 • We are a friendly 4th section contesting band, and recently achieved 3rd place at Rochdale contest, and have a busy schedule on lead up to Christmas, and currently have a vacancy for a cornet player (position negotiable)


Garforth Brass

October 29 • Garforth Brass are looking for a second euphonium to join our friendly 3rd Section band. We rehearse on a Wednesday evening at Garforth Methodist Church, Church Lane, Garforth, Leeds, LS25 1NW from 7.30-9.15pm. We are easily accessible from the A1 and M1.


Andrew White

MA(Ed Man), B Ed (Hons), BBCM, ADNCB, PGCE, Cert Ed
Conductor, Arranger, Adjudicator & Educationist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd