*
banner

Fowles leads conductors at Wessex Summer School

Michael Fowles will lead a high profile team of conducting talent at the Wessex Band Summer School this year.

Wessex
  The leading Summer School takes place later this year led by Michael Fowles

The Wessex Band Summer School has announced the conducting team that will inspire delegates on its course later this year.

Running from Monday 1st — Saturday 6th August, the lead will be taken by Foden's Musical Director Michael Fowles.

Great team

Michael has assembled a great team to work with the students, with the brass band conducted by Mike Eccles and Alan Pope.

Mike is the Musical Director of Poynton Youth Band, and flugel of Brighouse & Rastrick, whilst Alan is the hugely respected conductor of Camborne Youth and Junior Contesting Band.

Wind Band

Meanwhile, the Wind Band will be conducted by David Marshall and Damon Robb. David was the Musical Director of the Coldstream Guards and is now a partner in a music publishing business.

Damon is a highly respected woodwind specialist, playing for various ensembles for several years, including being the assistant conductor for West Side Story for both The Prince of Wales Theatre, London, and the UK National Tour.

Running from Monday 1st — Saturday 6th August, the lead will be taken by Foden's Musical Director Michael Fowles4BR

Training Band

The Training Band conductors will be Becky Cook, Anna Hughes-Williams, Sandra Jones and Matt Stimpson.

Becky is the solo trombone of Ratby Band, and also conducts the Ratby Junior Band. Anna Hughes-Williams has played for many of the UK's finest bands, including Foden's, Tredegar and YBS and is currently conducting the Trinity Girls Band.

Sandra Jones has performed with ensembles such as the Royal Scottish Orchestra, Scottish Ballet Orchestra and the Scottish Opera and regularly works with a wide range of ensembles of all levels.

Finally, Matt Stimpson is the faculty leader of creativity at Beckfoot school, where he leads several ensembles, he is also the musical director of the Delph Youth Band.

More details and sign up

For more details about the course, including how to apply, please visit: www.wessexband.com

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Presto CDs

Presto Music Collection: Six more to add to your playlist

January 1 • New and old CDs from David Childs and John Wilson to Black Dyke and Williams Fairey.


Richard Marshall

Marshall makes Riverside connection with baton

January 1 • Richard Marshall becomes part of the conducting team spearheading NASUWT Riverside in 2026.


RWCMD

New Year financial boost for RWCM&D

January 1 • The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama gains nearly two million pounds in funding to help provide its core delivery of performance based music and drama.


Presidential role for Dame Errollyn Wallen CBE

January 1 • The critically acclaimed composer has become the new President of The Royal Society of Musicians.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Tintwistle Band

January 1 • We have a vacancy for an Eb bass player to complete our bass section.. We are looking forward to competing in the 2nd section Midlands area contest in March 2026.. We rehearse Monday&Thursday 8-10pm in our own bandroom under the baton of our MD Jim Henson.


Croy Silver Band

January 1 • Croy Silver Band currently has contest vacancies on Cornet and Percussion, but is always happy to accommodate enthusiastic new players in any section of the band.


Welwyn Garden City Band

December 30 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band with an eye on the 2026 Areas. We have vacancies for a FRONT ROW CORNET player and PERCUSSIONISTS.. Our MD is Will Douglas and we rehearse in Welwyn Garden City on Sunday evenings from 7.00-9.00pm.


Dr. Stephen Arthur Allen

D. Phil. (Oxon) [Ph.D Oxford University], GBSM, LTCL, ABSM, ALCM, Cert. Ed.


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd