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Paul Goodchild


Paul Goodchild studied with his father Cliff Goodchild (former Principal Tuba of Sydney Symphony Orchestra) and Emest Llewellyn (former Concertmaster Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Dean of Canberra School of Music).

Showing remarkable talent at an early age, Paul was in his mid teens when he performed with the touring Bolshoi Ballet Orchestra as Principal Trumpet as well as being engaged to play with the touring D'Oyly Carte Opera Company (UK) and the Australian Opera. ln 1979 at age 18 he was appointed as a full time member of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra trumpet section. In 1984 at the invitation of leading UK conductor Elgar Howarth, Paul went to Europe to further his orchestral studies. During this period he specialised in the vibrant music of the Baroque Period and was already receiving high praise for his solo and chamber music recitals. He returned to Australia in 1985 and rejoined the Sydney Symphony as the Associate Principal Trumpet. He performed as guest Principal Trumpet with most of the Symphony Orchestras in Australia and toured Singapore, China and Korea with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Paul also performed regularly with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Sydney Philharmonia and Sydney Opera House Orchestras as well as Collegium Musicum and the Australia Ensemble.
Paul's interest in new music was also utilised by some local composers such as Carl Vine, Ross Edwards, Barry McKimm and Alan Holley. In the past few years, Paul gave numerous world premiers of works especially written for him in combinations of Trumpet and Brass Band, Trumpet and Organ, Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra, Trumpet and Piano and Brass Quintet. In 2005 Paul gave the world premier of the Trumpet Concerto “Dopplers Web” by Alan Holley with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra conducted by Simone Young and in 2006 repeated it with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in Brisbane. Paul was also the Musical Director of Sydney Brass formed in the late 50’s by his father Cliff; it is one of Australia’s oldest and most respected chamber music ensembles and he was also the Musical Director of the Waverley Bondi Beach Band.

In addition to his busy performing schedule, Paul was in demand as a teacher, having tutored at the Sydney and Newcastle Conservatoriums and Music Camps with Pan Pacific and Youth Music Australia and gave masterclasses and recitals throughout Australia and Overseas.

We were saddened to hear of Paul's passing in March 2022.