On 19th February 2027, in a concert sponsored by Tunnell Trust, we welcome Tunnell Trust prizewinners Orris Winds. Formerly known as CATIL Quintet, Orris Winds quintet was formed in 2022 by alumni of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. The group is driven by a shared passion for chamber music and a commitment to accessibility. The ensemble seeks to act as a bridge between the music and the audience.
Orris Winds has performed at esteemed venues including LSO St Luke’s, Guildhall Chamber Festival, and The Salata Auditorium at Eton College. They are recipients of several accolades including 2nd Prize at the Luigi Nono Competition, Turin, Italy, and Royal Overseas League semi-finalists in 2026. The group is deeply invested in education work, regularly collaborating with schools and youth organisations such as Barnet Education Arts Trust, Eton College and Guildhall Young Artists in Norwich.
Through their dynamic programming and commitment to accessibility, Orris Winds seeks to celebrate the richness of wind repertoire while engaging new audiences and inspiring the next generation of musicians.
Oboist and cor anglais player Charis Lai, originally from Hong Kong, is now London-based. She was a Junior Fellow at Guildhall (2024-2025) and the Orpheus Sinfonia Foundation Programme (2024-2025), and recipient of the Guildhall Cor Anglais and oboe Prize (2022 & 2023). Charis has participated in a range of prestigious festivals and courses, and has performed with the Philharmonia Orchestra, Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra, Thames Sinfonia, and Sinfonia Smith Square.
Alex Ho is a flute and piccolo player from Hong Kong. Since starting his studies in London in 2022, he has won numerous accolades including the GSMD Needlemakers’ Woodwind Prize 2023 and The Sixth Sense Grand Prix 2024 (Japan) in Tokyo; winning the 1st prize of winds chamber division and Overall Grand Prix. Ho’s orchestral collaborations include Macao Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Asian Youth Orchestra, while in 2025-2027 he is principal flute in the Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra in London.
Bassoonist Paddy Kearney hails from Bromley and started playing the bassoon at age 8. Having represented Great Britain at the World Music Contest in Kerkrade, Netherlands, he went on to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and Royal College of Music. Paddy is currently on trial for Principal Bassoon with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and is freelancing as Principal Bassoon with the Royal Opera House and Ballet, Royal Northern Sinfonia and the Irish National Opera. In his spare time, Paddy is a passionate cook and has appeared on “Masterchef” on the BBC.
Isabella Ackland (French Horn) grew up and had a distinguished student career at the Royal Academy of Music and Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Chamber music is central to Isabella’s career and as well as performing regularly with CATIL Quintet, she is also a member of esteemed flexi-ensemble, Meliora Collective. She freelances with orchestras such as Philharmonia Orchestra, London Concert Orchestra and Britten Sinfonia, as guest principal.
Clarinettist Lily Payne was awarded direct second year entry to the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, she graduated in 2025 with First Class Honours. Lily made her concerto debut performing Copland’s Clarinet Concerto at the Cadogan Hall, and has also appeared at Wigmore Hall playing Debussy’s Première Rhapsodie. As part of Pierre Boulez’s centenary celebrations, she performed ‘Domaines’ for solo clarinet live on BBC Radio 3.
