Biography

Paul Cosh started playing the cornet in the Boys Brigade and his local brass band in Sherborne, Dorset. He was also a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. He went on to study the trumpet at the Royal Academy of Music and on completing his studies developed a highly successful freelance career that involved working in every field of the music profession.

In the world of rock music he worked with many well known artists including Diana Ross, Bryan Ferry, George Michael and The Jam. He played on the soundtracks of major films such as Ghandi, Superman The Movie and Superman 2, and also worked in West End musicals, including Evita.

Throughout this period in his career he also made regular appearances with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The Royal Opera House, The Philharmonia and The London Symphony Orchestra.

From 1987 until 2005 Paul was a member of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. During his time as an orchestral musician he worked with some of the world’s greatest conductors including Leonard Bernstein, Claudio Abbado, Sir Simon Rattle, Rudolf Kempe, Ricardo Muti, Bernard Haitink and Gunther Wand.

In 1984 Paul was appointed Professor at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama. On leaving the BBC Symphony Orchestra he continued his work at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he was awarded a Fellowship and was a Senior Lecturer. He retired from that post in 2014.

Paul is a renowned teacher with an international reputation and still gives consultations and lessons at a studio in London, and online via Zoom and Skype.

Paul has also acted as an external examiner at The Royal Academy, The Royal Northern School of Music, The Royal Scottish Conservatoire, Trinity Laban College and The Birmingham Conservatoire.

Alongside his professional career, as a trumpet player, Paul has always maintained his links with the brass band movement. He has conducted many of Britain’s finest bands including, Sun-life, Desford, Flowers, Wingates, Parc and Dare, and Hanwell, winning both the London and Welsh areas. As an adjudicator he has officiated at the Nationals at the Royal Albert Hall, The British Open, Brass in Concert, Siddis in Stavanger and the Belgian Nationals.