A SELF-taught Evenwood man is hoping his passion for music will gain global recognition for the second time.
Richard Ellis-Hawley will be judged against other top musicians in the Lux Life Global Entertainment awards later this year. In 2018, he won the accolade for best private event keyboard musician in the North East and is hoping for similar success this year.
He said: “I was over the moon when I found out. I was really pleased.”
The 44-year-old is the organist at St Paul’s Church, in Evenwood, as well as St Thomas’ Harelaw and Annfield Plain Church.
He has been a member of Barnard Castle Band for two years and is also involved with Lanchester and Spennymoor brass bands.
Together with his husband, Rowen, he also runs Notes of Life, a music entertainment business which provides music at weddings and other special events.
With more than 30 years of musical knowledge, Mr Ellis-Hawley plays a host of brass instruments as well as the organ, keyboard and piano. His inspiration comes from the work of Dutch violinist Andre Rieu.
He said: “It all started for me when I was eight. I went to school in Ripon and we were made to learn how to play the recorder. Mum and dad also used to take us to brass
bands.
“I think it has all extended from my aunty Eileen too who played the viola as she was in one of the top orchestras in the country.”
Eileen Engelbrecht was a freelance musician in London who travelled worldwide. She was also a founder member of the London Sinfonietta.
Mr Ellis-Hawley is hoping to follow in is aunt’s musical footsteps by gaining global recognition in the upcoming awards.
Meanwhile, the couple are both busy helping to reform Bishop Auckland’s brass band which was dissolved in the seventies.
