Member Biography's

As a quartet, Status Cymbal has 4 Principal Members, who are:

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Gill AUSTIN - Leader

Violin

Gill was born in Saddleworth in 1968 and studied at the Royal Academy of Music with Maurice Hasson. Her extensive orchestral experience includes freelance engagements with the BBC Concert Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Bergen Philharmonic, the English National Ballet Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic. Gill joined the quartet in 1998 and has been an active member ever since.

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Dave WILLIAMS

Violin II

David was born in Rugby and educated at the town's well known Public School before going to the Royal Academy of Music where he studied with Derek Collier. Since graduating from the Academy with 1st Class Hons, he has persued a varied career both in the UK and abroad performing with companies such as Ballet Rambert and English Touring Opera, as well as on various West End productions over the years. David also appears regularly on TV and has toured with artists such Emma Bunton, Russell Watson & most recently George Michael. David joined the quartet in 2001.

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Paul APPLEYARD

Viola and Musical Arranger

The only remaining founder member of the quartet, Paul was born in Dewsbury in 1951 and was taught by Frederick Riddle at the Royal College of Music in London. From there he spent two years in the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra before returning to the UK to freelance. He has worked with all the major London orchestras and those of the BBC as well as spending short periods as Principal Viola with the Ulster, Scottish Ballet and London Festival Ballet orchestras. In 1988 he was invited to join the Scarborough Spa Orchestra, where the quartet was founded. As well as playing in the quartet, his skill and experience as an arranger means that a requested song that is not already in our extensive repertoire can be provided in a quartet version especially for any occasion.

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Una BIRTCHNELL

Cello

Una. who joined the quartet in 2004, began studying music at an early age in Bristol. She continued her studies at the Guildhall School of Music, receiving scholarships to complete the Advanced Solo Studies course. Her education continued at L'école Normale in Paris with Raphael Sommer, where she won the Premier Prix and the Jean Toussaint Bach Prize. Her career combines orchestral, chamber and solo playing with many ensembles, from London Mozart Players to Portishead. She plays with the Ulster Orchestra, London Concertante and London Soloists and performs regularly with her partner, pianist John Human, at chamber festivals and for the Council for Music in Hospitals. She tutors at the City Literary Institute and plays on a modern instrument by Tony Padday

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Associate MEMBERS

On the rare occasion that any of our core members are ill or unavoidably unavailable, we have a pool of associate players who we can call upon to step in whenever required. Such a player is our lead associate violinist, Paul Costin, who has been closely affiliated with the quartet since as long ago as 1995! Our additional players are full-time, college-trained, professional musicians who are familiar with our repertoire and type of performance and have been playing in the unique style of Status Cymbal for many years. This means that we are nearly always available for any type of event, however big or small, at the shortest of notice and, although you may not always see the faces of all the Principal Members, you are assured of the execution of total professional dedication on all occasions.

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Review

"These four fine musicians surprised some, I am sure, with their choice of material, steering clear of the usual classical repertoire and picking movie themes, standards and even a touch of Nirvana. Needless to say, it worked perfectly, and this is an act that is ideal for the corporate market, but with their mix of material from Vivaldi to the Verve, there is no place where they could not work. "

The Stage & Television Today