Smith, Kenneth

Kenneth Smith is a British flautist who has been the Principal Flute of the London Philharmonia Orchestra for many years.
Born in Wolverhampton, he took up an apprenticeship as engineering draughtsman in a brewery at the age of fifteen. As a gifted recorder player at that time, he received an old wooden flute as a gift. Even though he pursued his engineering studies, he gradually realized that the draughtsman career is not for him. To make the work more bearable he listened to music on the radio and continued to play the flute, taking lessons with Delia Ruhm at the Midland Institute in Birmingham and Michael Hirst, piccolo player in the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Gradually he was able to quit engineering and study music and flute with Hilary Evans in Cardiff college. Three years later he was given an opportunity to have a lesson with Geoffrey Gilbert which led to further studies with Peter Lloyd, the Principal Flute of the London Symphony orchestra. Additionally he was able to take lessons with Marcel Moyse.
In 1973 Kenneth Smith got the second flute position in the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra where he stayed for 10 years.
During orchestra's tour to Germany and Switzerland with Aurèle Nicolet as a soloist, Kenneth Smith received flute lessons and encouragement to audition for Principal Flute position in the London Philharmonia Orchestra which he got after 14 months trial period.
Kenneth Smith has made numerous recordings for Sinopoli and EMI labels, as well as 7 albums with the pianist Paul Rhodes.