Graham Johns - Percussion

Graham is the Phil's Principal Percussion player and joined the Orchestra in 1983.

Q. How long have you been with the RLPO?
A. Since 1983

Q. What was your earliest musical experience?
A. Hearing my brother torture a violin, and the rest of the family!  Playing in the school Guitar Ensemble - aged 6

Q. Do you play any other instruments?
A. Reached Grade 6 on cello, studied Tenor Horn and French Horn

Q. If you could play a different instrument, which one would it be?
A. French Horn - once played Mozart 4th Horn Concerto (with piano)

Q. What would you most like to do if you weren’t a musician?
A. House renovation, Architect, Plumber or Gardener or just chop wood!

Q. If you could take a recording of one piece of music to a desert island, what would it be?
A. La Mer by Debussy

Q. Which piece of music do you most enjoy playing?
A. Rite of Spring by Stravinsky or any Shostakovitch

Q. Which personality (historical, musical or otherwise – living or dead!) would you most like to share a bottle of wine with?
A. Geoff Hamilton of Gardener's World - sadly no longer with us.

Q. Where’s your favourite place to eat/drink in Liverpool?
A. Far East restaurant - they have a terrific buffet

Q. What do you do to relax in your free time?
A. Fixing things and cooking - especially Chinese

Q. Where’s your favourite holiday destination?
A. New Zealand - of course