Our Musicians
Mark Law
Trumpet
Originally from Poole, Mark started playing the trumpet at the age of ten. He joined the National Youth Orchestra at twelve, later becoming principal and winning the John Fletcher Prize for outstanding contribution to the orchestra.
He attended Eton College on a music scholarship to study with Jim Wortley. After school he won a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music & Drama to learn with John Miller. Whilst gaining a first-class degree there he won the trumpet prize and the wind concerto prize, and was a member of both the European Union Youth Orchestra and World Youth Orchestra. Awards from the Countess of Munster, Caird and Fleming trusts enabled a postgraduate year at the Royal Academy of Music.
Before moving back to Poole for a better quality of family life, Mark freelanced in London for many years, working extensively with the majority of the UK’s orchestras, as well as holding a permanent post in the London production of “Phantom of the Opera”. His experience as a chamber musician also includes being a member of London City Brass and World Brass. He has been very involved in major film scores, television and CD recordings, notably at the personal requests of both Sir Paul McCartney and Oscar winning composer Dario Marianelli. Pop music has included recording with groups such as Divine Comedy and Snow Patrol. Mark currently prioritises chamber music and music education, as he is driven to giving others some of the enjoyment he has had from music. Alongside his playing work he currently teaches privately, and at Eton College.
Elaine Close
Trumpet
Elaine formed her love of Music in the Scottish Borders and studied trumpet performance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland before gaining scholarships to study solo performance in the Netherlands.
In 1996 she was offered a position in the trumpet section of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, where she worked for 17 years before moving onto her current teaching position.
Elaine has given professional performances throughout Europe and Asia, recording various works with Chandos Records, BBC radio and for BBC television broadcasts, with many of the UK’s leading professional orchestras.
She now devotes her time alongside her family commitments to music education and community music projects in the Southwest, performing whenever given the opportunity.
Fiona Brockhurst
French Horn
Fiona Brockhurst trained at the Royal College of Music and is a freelance player and teacher in the south of England with pupils from ages 8 to 80. She plays as an extra with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and also works with their education and outreach projects. She is passionate about music education for all and has recently been coaching young players in the Bournemouth section of NOYO (National Open Youth Orchestra). In the summer Fiona works with the Music Makers holiday course alongside her daughter and grandchildren.
Fiona plays with many ensembles and orchestras across the south of England as well as Canzona Brass Quintet: Salisbury Sinfonia, Dorset Chamber Orchestra, the Mayflower Ensemble, Hurn Court Opera, Questa Musica, Cornucopia horn quartet, and has featured on two classical music cruises for Saga. As soloist, Fiona has played all the Mozart concerti, Richard Strauss’ 1st concerto and Britten’s Serenade for tenor, horn and strings with assorted tenors - Colin Howard, Ian Wicks, Lyndon Atkinson, Edward Rimmer and two recent performances with Michael Aitkenhead.
Phil Humphries
Trombone
Phil started playing the trombone at secondary school at the age of 11 in Dorset.
After music college in London he worked as trombonist with the Andy Ross Orchestra which played for the BBC television programme “Come Dancing”.
After moving back to Dorset he freelanced and taught brass instruments at various schools in the Dorset area. He became interested in early brass instruments and, has been serpent player with the Mellstock Band for many years and, also leads the London Serpent Trio. Phil has appeared in numerous films, TV and radio broadcasts, recorded and performed with the Royal National Scottish Orchestra, the New London Consort and the Gabrieli Consort.
Phil’s interests include Country living, gardening, completing long distance trails and the poetry of Thomas Hardy and William Barnes.
Tony Waller
Tuba
Tony studied trumpet, double bass and conducting at Trinity College of Music, London, before embarking on a very successful career as a freelance trumpet player. Over the years he toured extensively with artistes such as Gene Pitney – seven UK tours - Michel LeGrand, Alison Moyet and Jack Jones as well as working for P&O cruises as theatre trumpet player.
Tony has also taught brass at many of the country's top schools, including Westminster Cathedral, Winchester, Bryanston and Sherborne. For twelve years, he was Head of Instrumental Studies at Clayesmore School in Dorset, where he founded the Clayesmore Concert Band, and over the years the band toured Holland, Spain as well as Venice. On leaving Clayesmore, he conducted the Concert Band at Parkstone Grammar School and once again set out to tour Venice, as well as Salzburg.
As a trumpet player, Tony was equally happy playing music from the classical repertoire, and for many years was an extra and 'dep' with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Until 2025, Tony worked with the education side of the BSO.
When lockdown occurred in 2020, the majority of Tony's work on trumpet disappeared. However, very pleased with his trumpet playing career, he thought it was time for a change, so, purchasing a tuba, he set his sights on making the tuba his priority. Hours and hours of practice later, he is enjoying playing tuba in Canzona Brass Quintet.