GEOFFREY GILBERT

Born 28^th May 1914, Liverpool

Died 18^th May 1989, Florida, USA

Studied with Vincent Needham jnr. and Albert Cunnington at the Liverpool College of Music.

Early cinema jobs helped pay for his tuition at the Royal Manchester College of Music where he was a pupil of Joseph Lingard. After his three year course he secured a position in a military band in Southport and by the age of 16 he was playing in the Hallé Orchestra alongside his teacher, Joseph Lingard. In 1934 he became principal.

He was principal flute in the London Philharmonic (1936-39), BBC Symphony Orchestra (1948-52) and the Royal Philharmonic (1957-63).

Teaching was an important aspect of his career and he held major posts at Trinity College of Music, Guildhall School of Music and the Royal Manchester College of Music. In 1969 he was appointed Flute Professor at Stetson University, Florida, USA.

Gilbert premiered in England a number of the most important flute concertos of the twentieth century including those by Ibert, Nielsen, Jolivet and Rivier. In 1977 he was awarded an OBE.

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