At our January 2025 concert, we said farewell to Barry Collisson, our Principal Oboe, who has retired after 52 years of service to the FSO. Barry joined the RAE Symphony Orchestra (a precursor to the FSO) in the high-profile role of Principal Oboe in 1973 under conductor, John Cotterill, and has been one of our most dedicated players, hardly missing a rehearsal or concert in his half century. The number of wonderful oboe solos he has performed will live long in our memory. We are immensely grateful to Barry for his loyal service to the orchestra. As a stalwart of the wind section, he will be greatly missed.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the orchestra, Barry will be joining the select group of former members who are Honorary Friends of the FSO. It is therefore more ‘Au Revoir’ than ‘Farewell’ and we look forward to seeing him in the audience for many years to come.
Photograph © Andy Friend-Smith 21st November 2009