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Personnel
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| Brass Band - | Alan Pope |
| Brass Band - | Dr. Chris Davis OBE |
| Wind Band - | Major David Marshall |
| Wind Band - | Len Adams |
| Training Band - | Matt Stimpson |
| Training Band - | Becky Moss |
| Training Band - | Sally-Ann Bartram |
The Tutorial Staff click on the name to see details
| Solo and Soprano cornets | Kirsty Abbotts |
| 2nd and 3rd cornets | Joe Clarbour |
| Flugel | Mike Eccles |
| Tenor Horn | Arfon Owen |
| French Horn | Arfon Owen |
| Tenor Horn | Matt Stimpson |
| Baritone | Mike Warriner |
| Euphonium | David Thornton |
| Bass | Les Neish |
| Trombone | Chris Davis |
| Trombone | Becky Moss |
| Percussion | James Gilbert |
| Percussion | Alli Smith |
| Flute | Sally-Ann Bartram |
| Sax | Mick Roberts |
| Trumpet | David Marshall |
| Clarinet | Tracey George |
| Clarinet | Michelle Bee |
| Bassoon | Elinor Tolfree |
Wessex Summer School Staff 26th to 31st July 2010
Course musical director - Mike Fowles
With Derek Broadbent retiring a new Course Director has been appointed, Michael Fowles is widely regarded as one of the leading conductors of his generation. He is Associate Conductor of Fodens Band, Professional Musical Director of Co-Operative Funeralcare Band and Musical Director of The Ratby Co-Operative Band. Having worked with many of the Country’s leading bands Michael is much in demand. He has worked with eminent soloists, made many recordings for CD and national radio and regularly leads training days with bands in all sections and school band workshops.
Wessex Summer School Staff 26th to 31st July 2010
Brass Band conductor - Alan Pope
Following a career as an army musician, took over as the Musical Director of Camborne Youth Band in 1999 and has built the band up from 7 members to its current membership of 85. Full time Brass Teacher. Tutor at Cornwall Youth Brass Band.
Wessex Summer School Staff 26th to 31st July 2010
Brass Band - Dr. Chris Davis OBE
Chris took an early interest in music in the Winchester area, until he joined Royal Marines Band Service in September 1975.On completion of three years training at the Royal Marines School of Music, he joined the Band of the Commander in Chief Naval Home Command as a clarinet and violin player. The next eight years, six as leader of the orchestra, saw continuous service on board Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia, including two circumnavigations of the world, two Royal Honeymoon Cruises and trips to the Americas, Australasia and the Far East.
In July 2002 he assumed the position as Principal Director of Music Royal Marines and Commandant of the Royal Marines School of Music, the seventh in a line of celebrated musicians who have held these appointments.
In 2007, Chris was recognized by Her Majesty the Queen for services to music and appointed OBE of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Chris retired from the Royal Marines in May 2009 after 34 years of service and now pursues a busy career as a freelance conductor and adjudicator.
Wessex Summer School Staff 26th to 31st July 2010
Wind Band conductor - Major David Marshall
Since his retirement as Director of Music, Coldstream Guards in 1999, His freelance conducting activities have included a very satisfying spell with Verwood Concert Brass culminating in their successful win at the National Regional Qualifying Contest at Torquay in March. David has maintained his early interest in brass bands (Bodmin Town) and has conducted concert and competition performances with world-famous bands such as Brighouse & Rastrick, Grimethorpe Colliery and Yorkshire Building Society.
His freelance conducting has included a spell with Verwood Concert Brass culminating with a successful win at the National Regional Qualifying contest and promotion to the third section. He has adjudicated at the North West area National Concert Bands Festival, and more recently has acted in a judging capacity on two composing competitions. He is an active member of the Wind Band Association and participates regularly in workshops for this medium. He has a partnership in a music publishing business and writes and arranges for the wind and brass band medium. He is also a regular contributor to The Brass Herald writing on the history of Military Music
Wessex Summer School Staff 26th to 31st July 2010
Wind Band conductor - Len Adams
Leonard was introduced to the cornet by his Grandfather at age 8, he joined Redruth Town Band and the Cornwall Youth Band. Moves followed to Carharrack & St. Day and finally Camborne Town Band where he became principle cornet and bandmaster. In 1984 he started Trevada Music which has continually grown to now have three shops in England and Wales , this has somewhat curtailed his involvement on a full time basis with bands however he often helps with contest preparation and covers for holidays and sickness. Great success was achieved in conducting taking all bands to championship level, these included Redruth, Bodmin, St Austell and Camborne. He became tutor with Wessex for Cornets / Trumpets and laterly conductor, taking over the running of the course and setting up the current structure. Leonard was given the honour of being awarded a Bard of the Cornish Gorsedd for his dedication to music He has been tutor and senior tutor to the Cornwall Youth Band taking them on a memorable tour of Luxembourg and now holds the position of Chairman. Other administrative rolls include Chairman of West of England Bandsmans Festival, Bugle and President of Cornwall Brass Band Association
Wessex Summer School Staff 26th to 31st July 2010
Training Band conductor - Matt Stimpson
Head of Music at Beckfoot School in Yorkshire. Matt plays horn for the Knottingley Silver Band and in the past for Concert Bands in the Doncaster area. Matt is a past student and award winner of the course and currently course chairman.
Wessex Summer School Staff 26th to 31st July 2010
Training Band conductor - Becky Moss
She currently conducts Ratby Youth Band, having gained a teaching degree. She is a past principle trombone player of the Wessex Band.
Wessex Summer School Staff 26th to 31st July 2010
Training Band conductor - Sally-Ann Bartram
A former principal flautist of the WBSS, Sally Anne has played the flute for over 20 years. She has a combined music and business degree and a wealth of experience in flute ensemble direction and performance. Co- founded the Enderby Wind Band in the summer of 2005. This is a community band ensemble based in Leicestershire.
The Tutorial Staff:
Wessex Summer School Staff 26th to 31st July 2010
Kirsty Abbotts - Solo and Soprano cornets
Currently plays Principal Cornet for Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band having previously held the same position for Sellers International Band. She was the Mineworkers Solo Champion 2005 and Best Instrumentalist at the Grand Shield 2006. released her first solo CD a year ago.
Wessex Summer School Staff 26th to 31st July 2010
Joe Clarbour - 2nd and 3rd cornets
A former student of previous Wessex courses, Joe currently plays solo cornet with the Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band in Yorkshire. Prior to joining Frickley, Joe was a member of the Enderby Band in Leicestershire for almost twenty years during which time he sat as principal cornet of both Youth and Senior Bands. During his time at Enderby, Joe also took on the role of Musical Director of the organisation’s Junior Training Band for an 18 month period. In 2005, he co-founded the Enderby Wind Band, acting as its Musical Director for the first 2 years during which the Band became an established and viable community music group.
Wessex Summer School Staff 26th to 31st July 2010
Flugel - Mike Eccles
Mike began his playing career at the age of 7 with the Poynton Youth Brass Band. Under the tuition of ex Fairey's cornet player Les Hall, Mike joined the Hazel Grove Brass band and also the Cheshire Youth Brass band in which he attained the seat of Principal cornet. Mikes playing career took off when he was asked to join the fodens band on 3rd cornet and eventually working his way through the cornet section. Since then he has played for YBS, Hepworth. For the past 5 years mike has played at the Fairey band where he has played Repiano, Assistant Principal and Principal cornet. He is now the bands Flugel horn player and conductor of the bands internationally renowned 'Acid Brass' venture. Throughout his career he has enjoyed many concert and contest successes. Mike is also an endorsee for Geneva instruments and member of the newly formed Geneva Brass ensemble.
Wessex Summer School Staff 26th to 31st July 2010
Arfon Owen - Tenor Horn
Has a teaching degree and currently playing principal horn at Grimethorpe Colliery
Wessex Summer School Staff 26th to 31st July 2010
Mike Warriner - Baritone
In January 2003 Mike was offered and accepted the 2nd baritone position at Fodens band having previously played with Freckleton Band for four years.
The highlights of Mike's banding career have been winning the British Open in 2004, and the MCM Festival of Brass in 2005.
Wessex Summer School Staff 26th to 31st July 2010
David Thornton -
David returns as tutor having missed last year being down south. He is the principal euphonium player of the world-renowned Black Dyke Band. He is regarded as one of the foremost euphonium players in the world and is in great demand as a guest soloist with ensembles throughout the UK, as well as further a field.
Wessex Summer School Staff 26th to 31st July 2010
Les Neish - Bass
Les Neish has become one of the leading tuba players of his generation. His endeavours as a tuba player have gained him recognition as a soloist, chamber musician and educator throughout the world. His career has been extremely diverse with highlights including a performance at Millennium Park, Chicago and even performing on an album with pop star “Sting”. His recent debut solo CD “Salt of the Earth” has been received to great critical acclaim, winning Brass Band World and British Bandsman Solo CD of the Year Awards and receiving airtime on BBC Radio 3.
Away from solo performance, Les is a member of the Fodens Band and is also privileged to be part of the tuba section of the world famous, American based, Brass Band of Battle Creek. His busy playing schedule already has performances in France, Germany, Belgium, Michigan and Virginia in 2010. As a chamber musician, Les has performed with the UK’s leading ensembles, including Fine Arts Brass, ONYX Brass, Tubalaté, NEMO and Polyphonic Brass.
Wessex Summer School Staff 26th to 31st July 2010
James Gilbert - Percussion
A former Wessex band student, he studied percussion at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Wessex Summer School Staff 26th to 31st July 2010
Alli Smith - Percussion
A former Wessex band student, joined the tutor staff as no. 2 when James moved up to principal percussion tutor. James took the place of Steve Plant, a tutor for many years, who stepped down due to health reasons.
Wessex Summer School Staff 26th to 31st July 2010
Mick Roberts - Sax
Mick studied sax, clarinet and flute at the City Of Leeds College of Music specialising in improvisation, where he was subsequently employed as a sax tutor. Perepatetic teaching in Barnsley followed. He is also a lecturer in music at Barnsley College. He is a professional theatre musician and is active in the folk and jazz scenes.
Wessex Summer School Staff 26th to 31st July 2010
Tracey George - Clarinet
Ex-principal clarinettist of WBSS, She is now Head Of Music at King Richard School in Portsmouth. She is also Assistant Director of the Portsmouth Schools Wind Band. As well as teaching Clarinet and Saxophone she also enjoys playing in pit bands in the Portsmouth area.
Wessex Summer School Staff 26th to 31st July 2010
Michelle Bee - Clarinet
Ex-principal clarinettist and prize-winner of WBSS
Wessex Summer School Staff 26th to 31st July 2010
Elinor Tolfree - Bassoon
Elinor is a much sought after music educator, music psychologist and performing musician with western wind instruments and Indonesian percussion (gamelan). She has been a tutor with the Wessex Band Courses for over twenty years.

