Paula O'Malley
Percussion
The position of Percussionist is supported by John Miller
Paula started playing percussion at the age of nine in her hometown of Paisley, Scotland. Spending four years at the junior department of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, she won the prestigious Colin Currie Young Percussionist Award. As a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland for six years, she played at prestigious concert halls, including the BBC Proms in the Royal Albert Hall and the Shanghai Grand Theatre.
Paula went on to study percussion at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where she was twice winner of the Southern Percussion Award, then completed her masters in percussion at the Royal College of Music in London. During her time at the Royal Northern College of Music, Paula was a member of the Black Dyke Band for three years, in which she toured internationally to Japan, New York, France, Ireland and to the KKL Luzern as both a soloist and section percussionist.
Paula is a freelance percussionist in the UK, performing with orchestras such as the Halle Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Scottish Opera. Paula is a also a busy educator in Scottish schools, teaching the next generation of percussionists.
Along with Chris Flynn, our principal euphonium player, Paula is a member of the successful euphonium and percussion duo, Percussi Aeris. Recent performances have included appearances at the Scottish International Tuba Festival, Glasgow South Concert Series and a recital at St Mirin’s Cathedral.
Paula has been a full time member of the cooperation band since 2022. Her highlights include winning the Scottish Championships and Scottish Open, as well as coming 5th at the 2024 National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain at the Royal Albert Hall.