Bio –
Born 1952 –
- Studied Piano to Grade 8 – Trinity College London
- Played piano in Belfast Music Festival competition
- Attended Methodist College Belfast grammar school 1963 – 1968. During that time I played piano with the school orchestra for a period. At one prize giving I played on the piano “Jesu joy of man’s desiring” with the orchestra and received a standing ovation – and had to play it again!
- Joined the Northern Bank in 1968 and had a career in banking but continued to keep a parallel interest in writing music including songs. I have had the privilege of playing for various very well-known artists over the years.
- In 1988 the BBC N. Ireland ran a song competition for local artists to submit a song for Children in Need. My wife (Sharon) and I sent in one and won the competition. It was recorded by BBC (Sharon sang the vocal) and the sale proceeds went to Children in Need.
- 1991-1993 – I was commissioned by the BBC N. Ireland to write incidental music for a series of documentaries which were shown at peak viewing times.
- Have recorded 5 albums of songs over the past few decades. One particular song stands out – The only hope. This song was written during what we now call in N. Ireland – “The Troubles” – the need for reconciliation in a war torn community. The funds to record this song was split 50/50 – half from N. Ireland and half from the South. The song has a very strong Irish style and climaxes with a beautiful Ulliean pipe solo.
- Both Sharon and I have also spent considerable time working with young people – Catholic and Protestant together at various events and camps enabling reconciliation to take place. We have assisted a number of churches moving forward to introduce modern songs and forms of worship.
- Now that I have retired I am interested writing for Piano and orchestra and have recently completed “The Rathlin Piano Suite” - in Eb major. This piece is in 3 Parts for piano and orchestra.
Paul W A Reid, Piano
Biography
Bio –
Born 1952 –
- Studied Piano to Grade 8 – Trinity College London
- Played piano in Belfast Music Festival competition
- Attended Methodist College Belfast grammar school 1963 – 1968. During that time I played piano with the school orchestra for a period. At one prize giving I played on the piano “Jesu joy of man’s desiring” with the orchestra and received a standing ovation – and had to play it again!
- Joined the Northern Bank in 1968 and had a career in banking but continued to keep a parallel interest in writing music including songs. I have had the privilege of playing for various very well-known artists over the years.
- In 1988 the BBC N. Ireland ran a song competition for local artists to submit a song for Children in Need. My wife (Sharon) and I sent in one and won the competition. It was recorded by BBC (Sharon sang the vocal) and the sale proceeds went to Children in Need.
- 1991-1993 – I was commissioned by the BBC N. Ireland to write incidental music for a series of documentaries which were shown at peak viewing times.
- Have recorded 5 albums of songs over the past few decades. One particular song stands out – The only hope. This song was written during what we now call in N. Ireland – “The Troubles” – the need for reconciliation in a war torn community. The funds to record this song was split 50/50 – half from N. Ireland and half from the South. The song has a very strong Irish style and climaxes with a beautiful Ulliean pipe solo.
- Both Sharon and I have also spent considerable time working with young people – Catholic and Protestant together at various events and camps enabling reconciliation to take place. We have assisted a number of churches moving forward to introduce modern songs and forms of worship.
- Now that I have retired I am interested writing for Piano and orchestra and have recently completed “The Rathlin Piano Suite” - in Eb major. This piece is in 3 Parts for piano and orchestra.