PSO People - Details

Anne Kimber - Conductor

Anne has been connected with the PSO for many years, first as a player and subsequently as conductor (only the sixth in the 132 years of the orchestra’s existence). As a flautist, her musical activities have ranged from teaching widely in the South West, to performing with groups such as the Bournemouth Sinfonietta, the Birmingham Royal Ballet, Opera South West, New Devon Opera, the South West Sinfonietta, and many others. She also manages the Dartington Festival Orchestra as part of the Dartington International Summer School, and is a mentor for the newly developed South West Music School. As conductor of the PSO she has helped to draw performances of real power and vibrancy from the players, enabling it to become the most accomplished group of its kind in the South West.

photo by Julia Finzel

Paul Mathews - Leader

Paul Mathews – Leader of the PSO for over twenty five years.

Refusing to join the school choir at the age of 11 did not bode well for a career in music. Nevertheless, two years later, while exploring the family garage, Paul Mathews came across a very dusty, almost stringless, violin hanging from a hook. Completely fascinated, he set out on a path that started at the back of the second violins of the St.Albans School Holiday Orchestra and took him eventually to the leader’s position of the Plymouth Symphony Orchestra.

In between, he embarked on a course at Rolle College, intending to become a maths teacher in spite of his interest in music. (Rolle was his chosen destination because of its proximity to a rare Sand Crocus at Dawlish Warren – something he has not seen in bloom to this day!). Having initially elected to do maths, he sensibly switched to music, a move that focused his whole career. He began his teaching career in Plymouth, joining the PSO that same year, again on the back desk of the seconds!

Paul reports that his long-term leadership of the PSO - 27 years this year- is fired by the wide and varied repertoire as well as the satisfaction of close teamwork in creating a final performance which evolves considerably from the first rehearsal.

Apart from music, Paul’s lifelong passion has been gardening: one of the reasons for his settling here in the West Country. The distant prospect of retirement brings plans to visit Kashmir, Northern China and South America to see rare orchids in their natural state.

Interview with DENISE HASSHILL 'Cello and PSO secretary

Denise, the longest-serving member of the cello section, has been PSO secretary for nine years now. Her familiarity with the established traditions of the orchestra, her administrative skills, and above all, her warm but calm temperament make her ideally suited for this position. She is a great support to Anne Kimber who values her practical help and wise counsel and she has won the respect and loyalty of the players.

Born in Ireland into a musical family Denise acknowledges her parents' early encouragement: There was singing and piano playing at home and we went to concerts, but it was above all my mother who saw to it that I had cello lessons at the Cork School of Music. She had always loved the instrument, but either through lack of resources or opportunity never learned to play herself.

After qualifying in Dublin as a Froebel teacher Denise pursued her career in England, first of all in Shropshire and then, significantly, in Cornwall. After a four-year stint in Anthony she applied for a post at St. Stephen's School Saltash, where the Head, Mike Hasshill, appointed her on the spot. After a suitable interval he married her. Denise later moved on, diplomatically, to TrewidlandSchool where she remained until retirement.

Meanwhile Denise was on the lookout for local cello playing. After hearing a PSO performance under David Cawthra she promptly applied for membership through the then Secretary, the late Betty Best-Harris. She also played in the Plymouth Chamber Orchestra, run by Bob Myers, who later was to write the PSO programme notes; it was here that she enjoyed having the support of Nigel Amherst's double bass behind the cellos. In her long association with the PSO Denise has no difficulty in singling out significant musical experiences:

"Manoug Parikian played the Beethoven D major violin concerto with us, but it wasn't so much the performance which I found inspiring, as the rehearsal; he was such a wonderful teacher. Then again I remember the young Anna Markland's charming personality winning us over in her performance of the Mozart C major piano concerto. But the musical high spot for me remains Paul Mathews' Lark Ascending at the Sturt Open-air Theatre when the song of a thrush joined in the final soaring phrases of the violin."

Today, with teaching behind them, Mike and Denise are full-time farmers, with Denise working as secretary of the livestock section of the Liskeard Show. Through careful management and breeding they have established a pedigree suckler herd of award-winning Dexter cattle. The whole orchestra shared their anxiety when the foot and mouth plague came within fifteen miles of their farm. We are grateful to Denise for her dedication to the PSO and to Mike who acts as concert manager from time to time.

Interview with Ron Walke - Double-bassist

Ron's first instrument was a banjo he made out of a cigar-box with cat-gut fishing line for strings. Later his brother let him have a much-travelled old guitar - it had been round Burma with his brother during the war. Ron played in the station band in Germany during his military service, until one weekend the regular bassist was away and Ron was encouraged to "have a go" himself. He practised all day Saturday and played in the Sergeants' Mess that night, earning the princely sum of 30/-, the equivalent of half a week's Air Force pay.

Back in Plymouth he had two pieces of luck when he signed up for evening classes in Plympton - he still had to master the rudiments of music by night while working as a builder and carpenter by day. Firstly he found a bass to play lying in a corner (check this: Ed!). Secondly he met Christine Harvey, PSO violinist, who suggested that he join the orchestra. He was made to feel very welcome by first bassist David Redwood and then invested in a jazz bass for £50. After taking part in a rehearsal for Harold in Italy he was signed on by David Cawthra, with David Redwood's approval ("He's in") and has hardly missed a rehearsal ever since.

Ron says he values the exceptional friendliness of his fellow musicians. He modestly claims that he has received far more from the orchestra than he has put in. That is however open to question: quite apart from being a stalwart member of the bass section, he has turned his hand to constructing the orchestral staging, made mutes for fellow bassists, not to mention driving the orchestra's van, which he loads and unloads every concert - until his 70th birthday. His support for the orchestra goes back over thirty years, and he has a collection of programmes, press cuttings and memorabilia that cover that whole period.

Ron is happily married to Marlene - a diabetic nurse - and has two teenage sons. He says he has retired, but still continues to undertake some building work. He is still to be seen driving the PSO van. And if that were not enough, Ron is a talented and successful sailor, with an enviable record of winning races in his 24' Hurley (now replaced, after a dramatic sinking caused by a wayward motor-boat while Ron was tied up at a pontoon in Famouth!).