Rob 'Bomber' Harris

I live in Bere Regis, Dorset, with my wife Helen (librarian to the BSO) and son Laurie (currently head chorister at Winchester Cathedral).

After school I studied engineering at Imperial College before turning to music at the Royal College of Music. I have been employed as a full time member of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra for 26 years where I play the French horn – and I have also played with most of the UK’s leading orchestras, ballet and opera companies. I have been chairman of the players committee and the orchestra’s Health and Safety rep over the years.

In the last ten years I have completed an MA in music education with Trinity College of Music and also a PGCE with the Open University. For the last 20 years I have been actively involved with the orchestra’ education programme taking part in more than 1000 workshops in a wide variety of schools ranging from mainstream to special needs and from the Scilly Isles up to Birmingham.

I have always taught brass – from beginner level up at the Old Malthouse School, Swanage, and taught horn up to grade 8 and beyond at Sherborne School since 1983. I also teach horn to graduate level at Southampton University. I am horn tutor to the Hampshire County Youth Orchestra.

Apart from family, scientific and musical interests, I have a liking for old houses, gardening, old cars, motorbikes, cricket and real tennis.