The LEGEND that is Mike Warriner, a former player and winner of the Andrew Pitts Plate of the course has been the Baritone Tutor at Wessex since 2004. Currently based in Preston, Mike originally hails from nearby Bolton where he started playing at the age of 12, playing with many Read more…
Ruth has been playing her oboe since the age of 7. She studied the oboe, singing and piano at the Royal Academy of Music under the guidance, among others, of Lady Barbirolli and Janet Craxton. As well as working as a freelance modern oboe player she has spent many years Read more…
Tracey is an ex-principle clarinetist of the Wessex Band Summer School. Tracey graduated from the University of Salford in 2000 with an honours degree in Band Musicianship. At Salford she studied arranging under Prof. Peter Graham, conducting under Prof. Roy Newsome and performance under Prof. David King. Since 2000 Tracey Read more…
James Screaton has been playing the cornet since the age of 10 and was quickly introduced to the world of brass bands when he joined the Enderby Junior Band. In his ten years with the Enderby organisation James advanced through the three main brass bands and was appointed principal cornet Read more…
Kirsty began playing the piano at the age of 6 in her home town of Shipston-on-Stour in Warwickshire and at the age of 9 started playing the cornet with Shipston Town Junior Band. By the age of 15 she had become principal cornet of the Senior Band and led them Read more…
Alan was born in Redruth in 1961 and began learning to play the cornet at the age of five. He joined Carharrack and St Day Band and then moved to St Austell Town Band, competing in the National Finals with them. Alan also played in numerous solo contests throughout Cornwall Read more…
Born in Cornwall in 1944, David began piano lessons at the age of eight and later played cornet with Bodmin Town Band. In 1960 he enlisted with his county regiment, The Somerset and Cornwall Light Infantry. During his military service, David progressed from principal cornet of his regimental band to Read more…
Mike began playing at the age of 7 with the Poynton Youth Brass band where he progressed through the ranks to the principal cornet seat. During this time he was also principal cornet with Hazel Grove Brass Band and the Cheshire Youth Brass Band. Since then Mike has held positions Read more…
Damon has been a teacher and professional musician for over 30 years. He started his musical career in the Royal Artillery Band, after training at the renowned “Royal Military School of Music”, Knellar Hall. Since moving to Buckinghamshire in 2000 he has taught at a number of schools, including Gayhurst Read more…
Having been born into a Brass Banding family, music has always been in Becky’s blood! Becky learned to play Cornet with Ratby Band at the age of 5 and still plays with them in the Championship section today. After playing Cornet, Horn and Euphonium Becky took up the reins on Read more…
Born in Treorchy in the Rhondda Valley. Anna started playing at the age of 12 under the guidance of Ieaun Morgan MBE . Progressing to Principal cornet with the Treorchy Youth Band and Mid Glamorgan Youth Brass Band and being a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales Read more…
I began playing my clarinet at the age of 9 and my sax at the age of 11 achieving grade 8 at the age of 13. Music has been the love of my life. I studied music at Huddersfield University where I gained my BA(hons) and then went on to Read more…
Matt Stimpson is head of the Creativity Faculty at Beckfoot School, Bingley, where he leads the Art, Design and Technology, Music and Performing Arts teams and has the pleasure of teaching music at the school. Matt is a tenor horn player, and has previously played for a number of wind Read more…
Widely regarded as one of the leading conductors of his generation Michael hails from the rich musical tradition of North Staffordshire and is an Honours and Post-Graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music. He is Musical Director of Foden’s Band. Having worked with many of the country’s leading bands Read more…
The course concludes with concerts for both the training and main bands on the final Saturday . The Training band concert will be on Saturday Morning with the Main Band concert on Saturday afternoon. Both concerts are held at the stunning Exchange Theatre in Sturminster Newton. All senior band players Read more…