Paul Denegri HonARAM FTCL LTCL

Conductor

Paul began his musical career as a Junior Exhibitioner at the Royal College of Music, studying trumpet with Colin Cleague (English National Opera). At Trinity College of Music Paul studied the trumpet with Iaan Wilson (BBC Symphony Orchestra), John Wilbraham (BBC Symphony Orchestra) and composition with Dr Brian Blackwood. At Trinity College he was awarded the I’ll Sono di Ottone Prize for Performance twice in successive years and the Student Union Chamber Prize. Following on from music college he performed and recorded regularly with many orchestras, including the London Festival Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

In 1986 he was appointed Head of Brass, Percussion and Jazz and Commercial Music at Wells Cathedral Specialist Music School continuing to lead both Brass and Rock & Pop, two highly successful and inspirational departments within the specialist music school.

In 2008 in recognition of outstanding services to music education Paul was awarded an Honorary Associate of The Royal Academy of Music London.

From 2017-2020 Paul held the post of Head of Music Performance at Wells Cathedral School. During Paul’s time at Wells he also held the post of principal conductor of the Schools Philharmonic Orchestra and also rehearsed the Wells Cathedral School Symphony Orchestra in preparation for the conductor in residence Christopher Adey and other international conductors.

He has coached trumpet and brass for all of the UK’s major youth ensembles including NCO, NYWO NYWE and county orchestras and bands. He is a published composer and arranger and has his own company Pandon Ltd which also promotes young writers, composers and authors. Paul is the presenter and inspiration behind the popular Young Musicians Matter podcast.

Paul was invited to be the Artistic Director of The South West Music School which is a member of the DfES Dance and Ballet scheme. advising on its artistic vision. He maintained a close relationship with the school as a mentor, on the audition panel, as a trumpet teacher and ensemble coach.

www.pauldenegripandon.com

Sarah Alsop

Manager

Sarah has been working for Somerset Music since 2001 as their Instrument Technician. As well as managing the Somerset County Youth Concert Band she also manages the Somerset County Youth Choir. She has been teaching in the Somerset area for the last decade, both privately and through Somerset Music. Over the last 10 years many of her students have become members of the SCYCB.

As well as teaching she regularly plays trumpet with local orchestras, brass bands and pit work for musical shows.

Louise Palmer

Flute tutor

“I joined SCYCB when I was 11 as a young flute player.  I made life-long friends there and got to travel to different countries! It started me on my musical journey. So a music degree later, a couple of years at Birmingham Conservatoire and a few years of playing and teaching under my belt, I came back to tutor the flutes! I can’t believe that was twenty years ago! It is still as fun and rewarding as it always was”

Jamie Phippen

Saxophone tutor

“Having a career in music has been such a privilege with collaborations with some outstanding students and professional musicians.

It’s a fascinating and rewarding journey that has included woodwind performing and teaching, ‘A’ level music & music technology lecturing, conducting and composing”

Carolyn Tudor

Double reed tutor

I was a member of SCYCB during the 1990’s (gosh that feels like a long time ago now) but I remember my time with the ensemble with huge fondness and I still have many friends that I made through the group.  I especially enjoyed travelling around Europe during the summers on the regular tours, including visiting Prague, Salzburg, Krakow and performing in front of Mozart’s birth place, at the summer house used in ’The Sound of Music’, and in Wenceslas Square.

After those experiences teaching woodwind clearly became the job that I wanted so I studied for a Music degree and then a Teaching degree at Southampton University.  I went on to  work for Hampshire Music Service for 13 years before moving back to Somerset.  Currently I am enjoying teaching in many schools in Taunton and am so happy to be back with SCYCB and where it all started for me.

Shirley Screech

Clarinet tutor

I learnt recorder, violin and clarinet at school through the Cornwall County Music Service and was lucky enough to play in numerous county and area ensembles. These all helped develop my skills, they nurtured a life-long love of music making and lead to my studying Music at degree level and beyond.

I have been teaching instrumental (and classroom) music since 1988 and have enjoyed working with young players in all sorts of school and county groups, from beginner level, right up to post Grade 8. Throughout this time, I’ve continued to play (in orchestras, chamber groups, pit bands, big bands etc ) and like all musicians, I am very aware that I’m still learning.  Playing a musical instrument is an activity which, if you allow it, will last a lifetime and bring huge pleasure and benefits along the way.

Anna Newman

Percussion tutor

Jeremy Little

Percussion tutor

Jeremy was born and grew up in Kenya.  He studied Psychology and Zoology at Bristol University but his interest in music and performing soon took over.

He now combines a busy concert schedule with his teaching job at Millfield and coaches the National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain.  Jeremy is now principal percussionist with the Bristol Ensemble and Bath Philharmonia and plays regularly with Welsh National Opera, English National Ballet, the Ulster Orchestra, the Regency Sinfonia and many others.  He records regularly for film and television, Dog Soldiers (a werewolf horror) was broadcast recently in which Jeremy had a solo role.

Andy McDade

Brass tutor

Andy works internationally as both a performer and teacher. His vibrant style, combined with an enthusiasm for championing contemporary compositions, consistently challenges out-dated perceptions of the tuba repertoire.

During his studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Andy achieved various accolades. He won both the Linda Mowat Brass Prize and the RWCMD Concerto Competition, and has since gone on to perform as a guest soloist with bands and orchestras throughout the UK and Europe.

Andy enjoys a busy freelance career as an orchestral musician, working with orchestras such as the Novello Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Welsh National Opera and Birmingham Royal Ballet.

As an educator, Andy enjoys enthusing the next generation of musicians. He works as Head of Brass with the Young National Schools Symphony Orchestra, Tuba lecturer in Cardiff University and the Junior Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, as well as working as a visiting tutor in schools and county ensembles throughout the UK.