Graham Hall, founding member and former Principal Timpanist of Derby-based Sinfonia Viva, has been awarded the prestigious RPS/ABO Salomon Prize for his "hugely dedicated service to Sinfonia Viva over many years: as a timpanist, player and Musicians Union rep; and also as highly skilled arranger who has supported the orchestra’s extensive outreach work, and in doing so has inspired his fellow musicians to join him in going the extra mile.”

The award, presented on 2 March 2016 - his 56th birthday - at a Sinfonia Viva concert at Derby Cathedral, recognises his 34-year association with Sinfonia Viva, as a musician, player's representative and an accomplished arranger and orchestrator.

The Salomon Prize was created by the Royal Philharmonic Society and Association of British Orchestras in 2011 to celebrate the ‘unsung heroes’ of orchestral life; the orchestral players that make our orchestras great. The award is named after Johann Peter Salomon, violinist and founding member of the Philharmonic Society in 1813. Each year, players in all orchestras across the UK are asked to nominate a colleague who has been ‘an inspiration to their fellow players, fostered greater spirit of teamwork and shown commitment and dedication above and beyond the call of duty’.

Graham is the fifth recipient of the prize, and the first player from a chamber orchestra. He follows in the footsteps of outstanding musicians from the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, The Hallé and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Graham was nominated for the Salomon Prize by his fellow players at Sinfonia Viva, where he was Principal Timpanist for many years. He served on the Orchestra’s Board as player representative and latterly the Musicians’ Union representative until he suffered a stroke 14 months ago. With the support of Sinfonia Viva, he has been “re-orchestrating” his life by developing his music preparation work and remains a key part of Sinfonia Viva’s musical life.

About Graham Hall

Graham Hall studied at the Royal Academy of Music under James Blades. On leaving London he taught for two years in his home city of Nottingham as a peripatetic percussion tutor before going freelance as a player in 1984. He has worked with many orchestras in the UK as well as Sinfonia Viva, including the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestra of Opera North, where he held the position of Sub Principal Percussion for nearly 25 years.