Growing up in Cheshire Ian quickly developed a passion for music, joining the brass band scene from an early age. He studied Trumpet at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, where alongside his studies he worked with Birmingham Music Service as a peripatetic brass teacher and upper brass tutor with the Birmingham Schools Brass Band, as Read more
Shaun Farrington began learning the trombone at the age of 11 and from very early on he knew that he wanted career in music.In 2005 he graduated from the university of Salford and was also the recipient of the Roy Newsome conducting prize.He is the current bass trombonist for former Read more
Rob grew up on the Wirral and began to play the tenor horn at the age of 8, he quickly went on to join the Wirral Schools and Port Sunlight Lyceum brass bands. Rob went on to study music at Huddersfield and Liverpool Universities gaining experience playing in lots of Read more
Jon is a cornet, soprano cornet, and trumpet player, and currently holds the “bumper-up” solo cornet position with Foden’s Band, one of the world’s leading brass bands. Having started playing cornet at the age of nine, Jon progressed through local youth and senior bands before becoming Principal Cornet with Crewe Read more
What do they do outside of the course? Alli is a Family Support Adviser and Drama Teacher for SNAP Charity. He spends his time either directing, playing percussion for or acting in various musical theatre shows. He plays drums for Lady Grey and The Earls. Alli also really loves an Read more
What do they do outside of the course? Outside the course I am the Head of Creativity at Beckfoot School, Bingley. I am also the conductor of the Delph Youth Band. How long they have been involved with the course? I came on my first course in 2000, playing in Read more
What do they do outside of the course? Outside the course I am a Driving Instructor and play Tenor Horn in Verwood Concert Brass. I’ve played in the local band since 1971. How long they have been involved with the course? My first course was held at Cranborne Middle School Read more
What is their role within Wessex? Course Treasurer and member of the Executive Committee What do they do outside of the course? Chairman and Member of the Ratby Co-operative Band; Chairman of the Leicestershire Brass Band Association, Director of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, Representative on the Read more
What do they do outside of the course? Outside of the course I am a nurse specialist for older people, I play in 2 local brass bands and I like going to the gym. How long they have been involved with the course? I have been involved with the course Read more
What do they do outside of the course?I’m a father of two fantastic children, run a mental health organisation, play in a local band, am a Scout leader and spend lots of time dressed as a Ghostbuster!How long they have been involved with the course?This is lost in the depths Read more
A former member of the National Youth Wind Orchestra, Nicky Walton graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music in 1993. She was also awarded two professional performance diplomas (merit and distinction), both as a soloist and as a member of the Aldelphi Saxophone Quartet. Whilst studying at the RNCM Read more
Music has played a major part in Alli’s life from an early age. His energy and personality are perfectly suited to playing percussion. Alli began playing percussion through the bands and orchestras of both Leicestershire Arts in Education and the Enderby Band Organisation. He continues to support the latter whenever Read more
Having been influenced by music throughout his childhood, James has successfully paved a career for himself as a percussionist, and is highly sought after. He started playing when he was 4 and was initially taught by his grandad, Dennis Chalk, and joined Wilton and District Youth Band. James teaches percussion Read more
Stewart started his playing career in the Forest of Dean with the Lydbrook Band, progressing through their ranks to the position of Solo Euphonium. A move to local rivals, Cinderford, followed where he played for 2 years until he received a call from the Sun Life Band, Bristol. Stewart moved Read more
After developing an addiction to the recorder at the age of 5, I was encouraged to progress onto the clarinet and saxophone achieving Grade 8 Distinctions in both by the age of 13 followed by Grade 8 Distinction Clarinet Quartet. I progressed through the fantastic Staffordshire Youth Music Organisation which Read more