Course Tutorial and Conducting Staff
The course is run by a dedicated and talented team of tutors and conductors. Many of the staff are either musicians or music teachers and many are ex-Wessex Band students themselves.
Each tutor takes a section from their relevant band for sectional rehearsals. As we do not have one tutor per instrument most tutors will take a variety of instruments related to their own. So don't worry if you don't see a tutor for your individual instrument listed, there'll be a tutor for you on the course.
Below is the list of tutors and conductors for this year's course. We will update this list once the tutors for 2012 have been confirmed.
Click on a tutor's name to see more information about them.
Tutors and Conductors
Musical Director |
Michael Fowles |
| Position | Instrument | Tutor |
|---|
| Tutor | Flugel | Mike Eccles |
| Tutor | Trumpet | Mike Eccles |
| Tutor | Tenor Horn | Arfon Owen |
| Tutor | French Horn | Arfon Owen |
| Tutor | Baritone | Mike Warriner |
| Tutor | Euphonium | David Thornton |
| Tutor | Tuba | Les Neish |
| Tutor | Bass Guitar | Les Neish |
| Tutor | Percussion | James Gilbert |
| Tutor | Percussion | Alli Smith |
| Tutor | Saxophone | Mick Roberts |
| Tutor | Clarinet | Tracey George |
| Tutor | Clarinet | Michelle Bee |
| Tutor | Bassoon | Elinor Tolfree |
| Tutor | Cornet | Nick Jackson |
| Tutor | Cornet | Anna Hughes-Williams |
| Tutor | Flute | Helena Wu |
Michael Fowles - Musical Director - Trombone
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.
Alan Pope - Brass Band Conductor - Cornet
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.
Dr. Chris Davis OBE - Brass Band Conductor - Trombone
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.
Major David Marshall - Wind Band Conductor - Trumpet
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.
Len Adams - Wind Band Conductor - Trumpet
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
Matt Stimpson - Training Band Conductor - Tenor Horn
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.
Becky Moss - Training Band Conductor - Trombone
She currently conducts Ratby Youth Band having gained a teaching degree. She is a past principle trombone player of the Wessex Band.
Sally-Ann Bartram - Training Band Conductor - Flute
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.
Mike Eccles - Tutor - Flugel/Trumpet
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.
Arfon Owen - Tutor - Tenor Horn
Has a teaching degree and currently playing principal horn at Grimethorpe Colliery
Mike Warriner - Tutor - 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.
David Thornton - Tutor - Euphonium
David was the principal euphonium player of the world-renowned Black Dyke Band from 2000 until his recent departure to take on the role of Musical Director with another 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.
Les Neish - Tutor - Tuba
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.
James Gilbert - Tutor - Percussion
A former Wessex band student he studied percussion at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Alli Smith - Tutor - Percussion
Music has played a major part in Alli's life since he was very young. He grew up playing percussion through bands and orchestras of both the Enderby Band Organisation and also Leicestershire Arts in Education. Alli's personality certainly matches his instrument; his boundless energy and jovial character have always been a hit on the Wessex Band Summer School as a past student and now Tutor. Alli also has a passion for theatre and teaches for Limelight Musical Theatre School in his home town Leicester.
Mick Roberts - Tutor - Saxophone
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.
Tracey George - Tutor - Clarinet
Ex-principal clarinettist of WBSS She is now Head Of Music at The Regis School in Bognor. 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.
Michelle Bee - Tutor - Clarinet
Ex-principal clarinettist and prize-winner of WBSS. Michelle has recently completed her MA in Musical Performance.
