WAYNE MARSHALL’s relationship with music began at the age of three, when he had already familiarised himself with the piano; he only began to take formal lessons a few years later. He was a student at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester from 1971 to 1979. He won a foundation scholarship to the Royal College of Music in London, which was combined with the post of Organ Scholar at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, and he was a postgraduate student at the Hochschule für Musik in Vienna from 1983-84.
Wayne’s musical forays led him to experiment in multiple genres, including church music and jazz, but he quickly found his professional voice as an organ/piano recitalist. This was also the time in which Wayne began to find his footing as a conductor, a path that would see him working with some of the world’s most accomplished orchestras. He is thus a man with two gifts and one legacy.
He was the BBC Music Magazine’s Artist of the Year in 1998. In 2004, Wayne received an Honorary Doctorate from Bournemouth University, and in 2010 became a Fellow of the Royal College of Music.
2016 he received the prestigious Golden Jubilee Award in commemoration of his services to music.

is surprisingly different. It delights the audiences with a wide array of genres, gems from musicals, operas and operetta, film music and unknown jewels from the classical era, as well as current streams such as symphonic jazz and even Rap and Dubstep Crossover. “Serious music” is just another color in the musical rainbow of the orchestra.
The WDR Funkhausorchester presents new ways of hearing orchestral concerts, with stories and convincing concepts.
The orchestra loves to travel new and surprising musical roads – with innovative, imaginative concert programs and a wide offering of educational projects expertly tailored for specific age groups. The fine balance of exciting programs and relaxing evenings is a hit with its fans but also opens the door for less experienced concertgoers.
The WDR Funkhausorchester performs together with international soloists and ensembles, but also works with and within other artistic disciplines such as film, dance, pantomime, visual arts and theater. Moderators, storytellers and comedians add a special note to the performances so that each concert becomes a unique experience.
The WDR Funkhausorchester named for its spectacular, historic broadcasting center in the heart of Cologne is one of the most listened-to German orchestras. With regular live broadcasts, radio series and recordings it strives to accompany the audience throughout their day.

The guiding principle: Always worthwhile, Always close to our audience, There for Cologne, our region and the world.