Paula O’Malley

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 MPerf (distinction) in percussion at the Royal College of Music in London.

Paula was a percussionist and soloist at the Black Dyke Band for three years, in which she toured internationally to Japan, New York, France, Ireland and to the KKL Luzern, as well as performing on the Glastonbury Festival ‘Pyramid Stage’ and winning the Yorkshire Championships on several occasions.

Paula is a freelance percussionist in the UK, performing with orchestras such as the Halle Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Scottish Opera. Paula is 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 recitals at St Mirin’s Cathedral.

Paula has been a full time member of the cooperation band since 2022. Her highlights include performing at the 2025 European Championships in Stavanger, achieving 5th place and also achieving 5th place at the 2024 National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain at the Royal Albert Hall.