Popular trumpet tutor recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours

October 10, 2020

A popular trumpet tutor at Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools has been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Mr Martin McHale (pictured) has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his services to music.

Mr McHale has been a visiting tutor at Monmouth School for Boys for nearly 30 years and also teaches pupils at Monmouth School Boys’ Prep.

Director of Music and Organist at Monmouth School for Boys, Mr David Lawson, said he was delighted for his colleague.

“Martin is a fabulous musician and a tremendous character and we’re lucky to have him teaching our pupils,” said Mr Lawson.

“Over the years, Martin has sent a number of our pupils on to study at various conservatoires and, in Cardiff, his work with the orchestra has clearly been noticed.”

Mr McHale is a member of the orchestra of Welsh National Opera and the conductor of the City of Cardiff Symphony Orchestra.

He started his musical life playing the cornet in his local brass band in Scotland.

Mr McHale led the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland and switched to trumpet whilst at Huddersfield School of Music.

He studied at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and at the National Centre for Orchestral Studies in London.

Away from music, Mr McHale is an aficionado of Shakespeare.