Helen has played Rhapsody in Blue with the National Symphony Orchestra in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean onboard the Queen Mary 2.
She has trialled for permanent positions with BBC Symphony Orchestra (bass clarinet), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (principal clarinet and sub-principal clarinet doubling bass) and Birmingham Royal Ballet (sub-principal clarinet doubling Eb and bass)
Helen has worked in Norway with the Trondheim and Stavanger Symphony Orchestras.
Helen Paskins is a busy freelance clarinet player who works with many of the finest UK orchestras including BBC Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Royal Ballet and National Symphony Orchestra. She is increasingly in demand as a guest principal and also plays bass clarinet, Eb clarinet, basset horn and contra bass clarinet. Helen has toured internationally with many top conductors and soloists as well as session recording for film, TV and live radio broadcasts.
A keen chamber musician, Helen is a member of London Serenata and has performed with London Concorde ensemble, the award-winning pianist Ivana Gavric and she has given duo recitals with the clarinettists Ian Mitchell and Tony Lamb. Helen's solo performances are characterised by imaginative programming often championing music by women composers. She has had commissions written for her by Tony Osborne and Graham Sheen and has worked with the Riot contemporary music ensemble. Her arrangement of Debussy's Syrinx for bass clarinet is published by Emerson Edition.
| Roderic Dunnett, Independent |
| "...lest we forget the orchestra, top marks to the Clarinetist Helen Paskins" |
Since then, Helen has been involved with many fascinating outreach projects for the orchestras she has worked with including Academy of St Martin in the Fields, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. These have included concerts to hundreds of children, a performance in the Parthenon Gallery of the British Museum and playing lying down on London Bridge!
Graduate studies
Cambridge University, Newnham College (Music MA Hons, 2000); Royal College of Music (Advanced Postgraduate Diploma, 2002).
Teachers
Richard Hosford, Ruth MacDowell, Janet Hilton, Mike Harris, Andrew Marriner, Bob Hill.
Helen joined Morgensterns in July 2004
Helen's web profile was last updated 30th May 2020
Education/Outreach experience
Helen was an artist for several years on the Live Music Now recital scheme with the pianist Ivana Gavric (BBC Music Magazine Newcomer award winner). During this time they were selected for a special showcase concert for Prince Charles at Windsor Castle and a recital with Maxim Vengerov which was recorded for BBC radio. As well as performing in special schools and old people's homes, Helen and Ivana gave a recital and masterclass in the Leeds International Concert Series and performed at the Riverfront Arts Centre in Newport and the Falmouth Arts Centre.
Since then, Helen has been involved with many fascinating outreach projects for the orchestras she has worked with including Academy of St Martin in the Fields, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. These have included concerts to hundreds of children, a performance in the Parthenon Gallery of the British Museum and playing lying down on London Bridge!
Teaching experience
Helen has been a tutor and coach for Benslow Music, Ingenium Academy, Southampton University and Reading University. She currently teaches at Canford school. She has also taken a mentoring role in orchestral side by sides with BBC Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra working with students from Royal College of Music, Trinity Laban and Birmingham Conservatoire.
We like to construct our programmes around the requirements of your venue or festival. As well as standard repertoire, we can offer themed or lecture recitals geared towards either specific age groups or mixed audiences. We also perform a wide selection of arrangements which showcase the versatility of the clarinet, aimed particularly at those who are only just beginning the voyage of discovery into live music.
If you require musicians for a concert, recital or to enhance an event,
please call Morgensterns Teleteam.
If you require musicians for a concert, recital or to enhance an event,
please call Morgensterns Teleteam.
