Paul Archibald(II)
- Music Department
Paul studied at the Royal Academy of Music, London. His first appointment was co-principal trumpet of the
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden eventually moving from this position to join Philip Jones Brass Ensemble and the UK's premier contemporary ensemble, London Sinfonietta.
Paul was a founder-member of English Brass Ensemble and has worked with many of the world's leading composers including Witold Lutoslawski, Elliott Carter, Gunther Schuller, Peter Maxwell Davies, Luciano Berio, Pierre Boulez, Toru Takemitsu, George Benjamin and Harrison Birtwistle. Paul has also been principal trumpet of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and a member of some of the UK's leading chamber orchestras,
His career as a trumpeter has covered many genres: classical, contemporary, commercial, film, pop and
folk music, and he has worked with many popular artists including Barbara Streisand, Shirley Bassey,
Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Bob Geldoff, Bloc Party and Oasis. His film work includes Batman (1989),
Gladiator, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Shrek, Madagascar, The
Chronicles of Narnia, Rambo, Sweeney Todd, Moulin Rouge and Pirates of the Caribbean. In the
recording studio he has worked with many of the great film composers such as Henry Mancini, Michel
Legrand, John Williams, Danny Elfman, Hans Zimmer, Elmer Bernstein and Jerry Goldsmith.
As an educator Paul has been a professor at the Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and was Head of Wind, Brass and Percussion at the Guildhall
School of Music and Drama.
His discography includes solo works for trumpet and piano (Joie de Vivre and Divertissment) and a range
of concerti with the National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Gerhardt. His recording of
the Shostakovich Concerto No 1 op 35 for trumpet, piano and strings with Alain Lefèvre (piano),
Mathias Bamert (conductor) and the London Mozart Players was awarded Canada's prestigious JUNO
Award for Best Classical Album in 2010.
In 2003 he was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music, London, limited to 300 former
Academy students, and awarded to those musicians who have distinguished themselves within the music
profession.
In 2023 he received the International Trumpet Guild Honorary Award, given to individuals who have
made extraordinary contributions to the art of trumpet playing through performance, teaching, publishing,
research, and (or) composition.
Paul is currently Head of Woodwind and Brass at Shrewsbury International School, Bangkok,
Thailand