MU Roving Orchestral Stewards
Louise Braithwaite, Freelance Orchestral & Theatre Cor Anglais and Oboe - Midlands
Louise is also a Vice Chair MU Freelance Orchestral Committee, and Vice Chair MU Midlands Regional Committee. Mental Health First Aider. Health & Safety Rep.
Louise trained at the RNCM and is based in the West Midlands. She performs with the Royal Shakespeare Company, English Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of the Swan and as an extra at the CBSO. Her Community work focusses on Dementia, Learning Disability and long stay hospital care. Louise has designed and delivered numerous large scale Community projects for national funders. New Cor Anglais repertoire has been commissioned for her by the Royal Philharmonic Society and she has appeared as a soloist on BBC Radio 3, Classic fm, and for the International Double Reed Society. Louise is active in the MU, writing on industry matters and being interviewed by the media alongside her Committee work. Supporting the next generation led her into teaching positions at Warwick University and the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain. Louise is a workplace advocate for good conditions and the rights of freelancers.
Albert Dennis, Freelance Double Bass player - Wales & South West England / London
Albert is now living in Cardiff but he used to live and work in London for several years and worked there regularly. Albert has been a freelancer for many years but has been a member of ENO and the RPO so he has experienced both sides of the profession. He also worked on many sessions and at most UK orchestras so many of you will have seen him in the bass section but not realised that he’s a freelance steward or that the role of freelance steward even existed. It’s a difficult time for everyone but especially for freelancers: orchestras are strapped for cash and it’s often players who are first to feel cuts both in player numbers and conditions.
If you see Albert or any colleague on a gig and don’t feel happy about something but feel unable to speak out, chat to him and he can contact the Union on your behalf.
Mark Concar, Freelance Percussionist & Timpanist - North of England
Mark Concar BMus(Hons)RNCM PGDip(Perf)RNCM. Mark has been a member of the Freelance Orchestral Committee for over ten years and is also a Roving Steward and a trained Health & Safety Rep.
Mark grew up in Leicester and began his musical journey with the Leicestershire Schools Symphony orchestra and was taught by the same music service. He then studied in Percussion, Timpani & Drum Kit at the Royal Northern College of Music and since graduating in 2003, has worked regularly as a freelance Percussionist & Timpanist with all of the North West’s leading orchestras including BBC Philharmonic, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Opera North, Manchester Camerata, Northern Ballet, Hallé and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.
Fergus Kerr, Freelance Horn Player - Scotland & Northern Ireland
Fergus has been freelancing in Scotland since the late 1990s. His work portfolio has combined extensive orchestral work with chamber music and cross-genre groups in the realms of Traditional music, Jazz, and World Music.
Fergus is always happy to try to help out his fellow freelancers whether he’s on the same gig or not.
Luke Strevens, Freelance Flute - London
Luke Strevens studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Edward Beckett, also privately with William Bennett and Peter Lloyd as well as participating in masterclasses with the legendary Marcel Moyse.
Luke played Principal Flute with Opera80/English Touring Opera for 36 years and has worked with all the major London Orchestras, as well as playing principal flute with the London Concert Orchestra for many years. As well as working with Opera, Ballet and Chamber Orchestras throughout the UK, he has played in West End Shows and in recording studios, as well as with such artists as Shirley Bassey, Luther Vandross and The Moody Blues .
Solo and chamber music performances in UK, France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Norway and Denmark have included Premieres of two works for Solo Flute and Orchestra by Francois Glorieux at the Palais des Beaux Arts in Brussels.
In 2020 he formed Duo Panavanti with the Vibraphone player Jonny Raper.
Kim Murphy, Freelance Bassoon and Contra Bassoon – London
Kim’s been a busy freelance bassoon and contra bassoon player since the late 1980s having studied at Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She’s played with many of the leading Orchestras, Opera and Ballet companies around the country and also in the West End when bassoons were plentiful.
She’s also been a teacher for Junior Guildhall and The Purcell school and has run her own Nursery music business.
Kim is fairly new to the freelance committee but really wants to try and help make things better for us all.
For the last 3 years she’s also been a Governor for the Royal Society of Musicians, Britain’s oldest music charity for musicians unable to work due to accident, illness, stress or anxiety.
Roving Theatre / Live Stewards
Steve Gilbertson - London
Matthew West - London