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Jim is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and music educator with a busy performing schedule, playing both reeds and brass, with many of the UK’s leading jazz and classical ensembles. Jim began playing the cornet at the age of ten, but after a few years on tenor horn eventually realized that Read more

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

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