insideKENT Magazine Issue 73 - April 2018 | Page 39

EVENTS
A Q&A WITH
HELEN STOREY
FROM THE
ROYAL
PHILHARMONIC
ORCHESTRA
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HELEN STOREY HAS BEEN PLAYING
WITH THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC
ORCHESTRA (RPO) FOR SEVENTEEN
YEARS AS SUB-PRINCIPAL BASSOON.
HAVING TOURED WITH THE RPO TO
DESTINATIONS AS FAR AFIELD AS KOREA, THE
USA AND CHINA, SHE NOW HAS THE
OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM RIGHT ON HER
DOORSTEP IN HER HOMETOWN OF
BROMLEY, AS THE ORCHESTRA RETURNS TO
THE CHURCHILL THEATRE FOR TWO
CONCERTS IN 2018. WE TOOK THE
OPPORTUNITY TO ASK ABOUT HER TIME AT
THE RPO AND THE THRIVING MUSICAL
CULTURE ON HER DOORSTEP.
How did you become involved with
the RPO? me on another bus ride, but eventually I got
my wish of playing an orchestral instrument! What are the most important lessons your
life in music has taught you?
I was initially asked in as a guest, which is
when I found out that the second bassoon
position was vacant. Over the following 18
months, I was asked to play with the orchestra
more regularly until I was offered the job in
2001. Previously, I had been freelancing and
was very excited by the prospect of a more
full-time position. If you could only play music by one
composer, who would you choose and why? Playing an instrument is a lifelong challenge;
there’s never a box to tick to say you’ve
achieved your goal. It’s definitely a case of
‘only being as good as your last performance’.
Frustrating but true.
What inspired you to become a musician
as a child? It’s a thriving scene, with amazing
opportunities for all aspects of the performing
arts. The local music trust has a deservedly
amazing reputation and introduces music,
drama and dance to all ages and abilities. Our
children are very involved with the local music
scene, so when we’re not performing
ourselves (my husband is also a member of
the orchestra), we’re very often transporting
them to various rehearsals and shows!
Having learnt the recorder at school, I spotted
a publicity photo of an orchestra on an open
top bus. I pointed to the French horn and told
my mum that this was what I’d like to do. She
slightly misinterpreted my comment and took
I think I’d plump for Brahms as the bassoon
writing is so natural, challenging and
rewarding.
What is the musical scene like in Bromley?
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear Helen
Storey and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley on
Wednesday 25th April and Sunday 23rd
September; both performances start at 7.30pm.
Musical highlights include Bruch’s Violin
Concerto, Dvorák’s Symphony No.9, From the
New World, and Sibelius Symphony No.5. Info
and tickets at https://churchilltheatre.co.uk.
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