Laura Rylance

I had really wanted to get back into playing the sax for years but found it difficult to find a band in central London which didn't have the pressure of auditions. When I found the BWE website, I was overjoyed and have loved playing again in a relaxed atmosphere. BWE members are very friendly and of varying ages and standards which all makes the rehearsals lively and fun. Apart from playing the sax, I work for a PR agency and love playing tennis and travelling in France.

Ursula Bury

I always wanted to play in a band or ensemble so I was delighted when a friend introduced me to the Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble. I enjoy playing with a group of friendly people in a relaxed atmosphere but with challenging and varying pieces of music. The playing inspired my granddaughter who said: “When I’m a grandmother I’ll also play the flute.” You do not have to wait that long!

Henry Phillpotts

It had been a long time since I did my grades at school. Joining the Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble encouraged me to get practising and playing again. Joining has renewed my interest in the flute while meeting some great people.

Tosh Lee

I started learning the clarinet as a retirement activity, and then got hooked! I love playing an instrument which is easy to carry and has only one musical line to read. I learned about the Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble from the tutor of my City Lit clarinet class and joined because I wanted to make music with other instruments. Our group is congenial and has players from different skill levels and age groups. Tuesdays are much more interesting than they used to be. I find playing with the Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble both challenging and enjoyable.

Mike Winterburn

I started playing the bassoon when I retired. After playing for a few years by myself, or in chamber groups, I wanted to play in a bigger group and get used to working with a conductor. The Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble has a good supportive atmosphere. Playing is serious and often challenging but not at all competitive. The group has a nice social mix and there is good continuity because most members attend most sessions.

Rachel Madan

I joined because I wanted to play with a central London wind band that would be fun and would perform quality music but not be high pressure. The Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble is friendly and I like getting to know everyone. Since I am American, I can sometimes feel far from home but the Ensemble lets me continue playing. I am a sustainability consultant, coach and I love yoga and travelling.

Sarah Kirk

Like many members, I came back to playing in an ensemble after many years of silence whilst bringing up children and building a career. I found out about the Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble through my daughter's flute teacher, and have found a wonderful way of making time for music again. I try to make as many rehearsals as I can because they are enjoyable and I know that I am always learning. It also gives me the impetus to do some practice - when I play badly I know I need to get back to a bit of a practice routine! I took on the role of music librarian, which means I get to store and maintain our large repertoire, to which we are constantly adding. I like the fact that we play a variety of music, from new commissions to show tune compilations.

Sally Hubbard

I joined BWE in January of 2005 after several months of trying to pluck up the courage. I hadn't played my oboe for around 10 years and it had been gathering dust under a bed at my parents house. The supportive and friendly environment has really given me the bug for playing again, and it's great to have several events to aim towards throughout the year. I also took up the role of secretary on the committee late last year. I'm a marketeer by day and my other interests include film, comedy, theatre and reading contemporary fiction - I've been on several creative writing courses over the last couple of years and hope to get something published one day.

Andrew Hunt

I joined the Ensemble in the Summer of 2006. I heard about the group from the tutor of a City Lit clarinet workshop. I had been looking for opportunities to perform ever since the wedding music group that I used to play for disbanded. At the first rehearsal I was very pleased to discover that we were to perform a piece of music specially composed for the Ensemble. I also welcome the opportunities to play chamber music in small groups of wind instruments - it makes a change from the workshop group of clarinets.