Devon Youth Brass Showcase Concert with Special Guests Wells Cathedral School

Join us for a celebratory concert featuring talented young brass players from across the South West!

Young musicians from Devon & Torbay will perform alongside very special guests from Wells Cathedral School, led by Head of Brass Ross Brown, with performances from Devon Youth Chamber Brass (led by Sam Massey) and Sidmouth Town Band’s Academy Band (led by Josie Sherwood).

Our young people will delight the audience with music from across the ages alongside favourites from stage and screen, and in the fabulous acoustics of St Peter’s Church, Tiverton, this is one not to be missed!

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Music Development Leads drop in clinics

Are you responsible for Music at your school? Or perhaps you’re a Visiting Music Teacher? Do you have questions about how the Hub can support you? Want to bounce ideas off colleagues or share your successes?

This is your opportunity to a cuppa and join our Music Development Leads for an informal chat online.

Stay for the whole hour or just 5 minutes – no need to book, just click here to join us on MS Teams at any of the advertised times.

Nicholas B. Hudson

Education and Teaching Overview
Instrumental teacher with an excess of thirty-five years’ experience in educating professional
musicians, college students and within state and private sector instrumental music schemes.
Passionate about instilling the benefits and importance of instrumental tuition within the
school curriculum. Has been heavily involved in the direction and coaching of numerous
ensembles from brass ensembles, brass bands, orchestras and wind ensembles, both at local
and International level.
Amongst numerous benefits, instrumental music is very much a social medium and believes
student involvement in ensembles, from an early age and ability, is of paramount
importance. Has a proven track record of achieving the highest ABRSM brass examination
results recorded in the United Arab Emirates; in the final May 2016 sitting before repatriating,
seven out of eight brass entrants achieved Distinction at Al Yasmina School. Fully realizes
the importance of frequent communication with parents to ensure close monitoring of
expectations, progress and goals. Uses up to date technology as part of daily teaching
resources; SmartMusic, Tunable, Garageband, PracticePal, Logic Pro X and numerous iPad
applications.
Aware of the importance of greater involvement within the School Music Department. Has
been heavily involved with school productions, concerts, recitals, ABRSM entries, recordings
and securing Al Yasmina as an accredited ABRSM examination centre. Carried out ICT CPD
to curriculum staff on the use of the iPad within the music curriculum and SmartMusic as a
teaching aid for the instrumental teacher, student and parent. Presented performance and
training workshops to GCSE, AS and A level students in preparation for exam recitals.
Has recorded, edited, mixed and mastered GCSE, AS and A Level performances and
compositions along with production of music for a recent Mindfulness programme and IOS
app for full school use.
Observed as a ‘Outstanding’ teacher on separate occasions by both line manager and school
Principal.
CPD included a recent SEN course, in addition to a weeklong instrument repair course with
Trevor Head in the Brecon Beacons. Qualified to carry out basic repairs to brass
instruments.

Teaching Experience
Cheshire County Council Music Service – Peripatetic Brass Tutor 1992 to 1996
■ Responsible for the tuition of in excess of fifty students across the County. Engaged in
the low brass tuition of the County Youth Brass Band and Orchestra.
North Yorkshire County Music Service – Peripatetic Brass Tutor 1996 to 2005
■ Accountable for six schools across the North of the County and was involved in the
extra curricular music activities in most schools including; Jazz Band, Brass Band,
Orchestra, Wind Band and Brass Ensembles.
Somerset County Music Service – Peripatetic Brass Tutor 2005 to 2008
■ Involved in the running of school orchestras and brass ensembles as well as day-to-day
tuition of brass students in West Somerset.
Taunton School, Somerset – Low Brass Tutor 2005 to 2008
■ Responsible for the tuition of students from pre-prep through to sixth form. Heavily
involved with the direction of brass ensembles through prep and senior schools in
addition to frequent participation in concerts, recitals and school productions.
Clifton College and Prep School, Bristol – Brass Tutor 2006 to 2008
■ Answerable for the instrumental music tuition of students from Butcombe Prep School
as well as the Senior College.

Aldar Academies, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Brass Tutor 2008 to 2016
■ Initiated, in entirety, the instrumental music scheme across all Aldar Academies.
Delegated responsibilities included writing all documentation including tuition terms and
conditions, instrument hire agreements, instrument budgeting and procurement,
producing website information and design, accounting systems, staffing, timetabling,
resources, student monitoring and report systems, tuition of brass students and extra
curricular music activities across all academies including Primary Brass Ensemble,
Secondary Brass Ensemble, Big Band, Saxophone Ensemble and School Orchestra.

Warwick School, Warwick – Brass Tutor 2016 to date
■ Responsible for the individual tuition of twelve students, the Year 7 Scheme low brass
students, pBone scholars, run and assist with ensembles including The Undertones,
Foundation Youth Wind Orchestra and All Stars Band.

King’s High School, Warwick – Brass Tutor 2016 to date
■ Responsible for the individual tuition of seventeen students, the Year 7 Scheme low brass
students, trombone scholars, the running of Big Brass (a beginner brass ensemble of
eighteen members) and Unity Brass (advanced Grade 5 plus ensemble of eleven
members).

Additional Experience
Low brass instrumental master classes and workshops carried out at:
Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester
Royal Danish Academy of Music, Copenhagen
University of Newcastle (Performing Arts), Australia
Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, Australia
University of Gothenburg, Academy of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music, London
Huddersfield University, Performing Arts Department
Past Trombone Tutor for:
The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain
The National Youth Brass Band of Scotland
The National Youth Brass Band of Switzerland
NJBB Graubunden (Switzerland)
The National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand
IBBSS trombone tutor
Brass Band Summer School (Framlingham College, Suffolk)
Education
Fellow of The London College of Music (FLCM)
Licentiate of Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London (LGSMD, Hons)

Referees
Contact details available on request.

Performance Overview
Nick Hudson’s musical foundations are firmly rooted within the brass band movement. He started playing at the age of eight and following initial tuition from his father and a brief spell in The Salvation Army, Nick was appointed principal trombone of the world famous Foden Motor Works Brass Band at the age of only fifteen. During his fourteen years in that position he established an international reputation as one of Europe’s finest trombone players and teachers. He has presented master classes and performed in concert halls as far afield as Australia, Israel, Canada, the USA and throughout Europe. In addition he was the featured soloist at the National Brass Band Championships Gala Concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London on four occasions. He premiered the Wilfred Heaton Trombone Concerto live on BBC Radio 3 and gave the first public performance of Philip Wilby’s concertino White Knuckle Ride – both composed especially for him. Recently he returned from a successful tour of Spain where he performed the Holst ‘Concertante for Trombone and Wind Band’ and the Derek Bourgeois ‘Trombone Concerto’ at the World Wind Band Association conference in Valencia following enthusiastic reviews from music critics and trombone players throughout Europe. Nick released his first solo recording ‘Anthology’ with the Britannia Building Society Band in 1996 followed by the highly successful ‘New Horizons’ in 2002 featuring a diverse range of styles from jazz, avante garde and brass band repertoire. Another recent recording features a range of specially commissioned works for tenor and bass trombone where Nick plays alongside Douglas Yeo, Bass Trombone with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. His most recent addition to his discography is collaboration with Andrew Justice and the Enfield Citadel Band of The Salvation Army. The recording features original solo and duet repertoire and has already received critical acclaim. In June 2007 Nick also gave the premiere recording of Elizabeth Raum’s Fantasy for Trombone and Brass Band. In addition to these recordings Nick has been featured soloist on twenty other releases with ensembles throughout the UK and overseas. On both resident and freelance levels, Nick has played with most of the UK’s top brass bands; Britannia Building Society Band, Leyland Band, Yorkshire Building Society Band, Black Dyke Mills Band, Grimethorpe Colliery and the Fairey Band. In addition, Nick was a founder member of the highly acclaimed Howard Snell Brass ensemble. He has travelled worldwide coaching players and is currently trombone tutor at the celebrated Brass Band Summer School in Framlingham. Nick has been guest soloist with many ensembles including the New York Staff Band, Grimethorpe Colliery Band, the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, National Youth Brass Band of Switzerland, NJBB Graubunden, National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand, Enfield Citadel Band, Kortrijk Brass Band, Brass Band De Bazuin Oenkerk, Maple Leaf Brass Band, Brass Band Willebroek and Lyngby-Taarbaek Brass Band. Nick is now a member of the Sheffield based pro-orchestra Brigantes. He was featured soloist and clinician at the Leeds University Chain Brass Festival, a weeklong course of workshops and seminars for professional players from all over Europe. He has also given recitals and lectures at the Royal Northern College of Music, Royal Academy of Music (Stockholm), Melbourne School of Performing Arts, Newcastle School of Music (Australia), Goteborgs Universitet Artisten, RAF Cranwell, the Norwegian National Wind Band Championships in Trondheim, the British Trombone Society Festival at the Guildhall School of Music and London’s famous 100 Club. Nick was particularly pleased to be awarded The Don Lusher Memorial Prize for his playing at the BIC Contest. In addition to demands as a performer and clinician for Conn Selmer Instruments and Denis Wick Products, Nick is a regular editorial contributor and writer for many specialist brass publications. He is also a writer and advisor to the British Trombone Society. Nick’s recent schedule has included an increasing number of adjudicating engagements; he has been on the panel of judges at the US Open Brass Championship in Chicago, adjudicator at the Swiss National Solo Brass Championships in Sion and the Brass in Concert Championships at Gateshead.

What Other Players Say…..
“To hear Nick play the trombone is to indulge in a rare pleasure. His warm, supple tone combined with impeccable artistry places him in the top rank of trombonists.”
Douglas Yeo – Bass Trombonist Boston Symphony Orchestra (retired)
“Nick has a fine tone and his intonation is excellent, as well as phrasing and legato. I am sure his solo recordings will be a big success.”
Jay Friedman – Principal Trombone Chicago Symphony Orchestra
“Nick makes my solo sound his own, he has total command of the instrument and makes what I thought was a virtuoso solo, sound easy”
Bruce Broughton – Film Music Composer
“Tommy Dorsey, Michel Becquet, Don Lusher… Nick certainly belongs with these other lyric poets of the trombone…. his playing is the kind that attracts attention to the music itself; it is
unaffected, engaging and sincere.”
Scott Hartman – founder member Empire Brass USA
“Superlatives cannot express Nick’s sensitive playing in the slow movement of the Sparke.” Brass Band World Magazine
“Hudson was the soloist in Langford’s ‘Rhapsody for Trombone’ and this was the high spot of the day in terms of the soloists on offer. His was a faithful reading of a superb showcase
piece and his performance was never less than brilliant. He is a supreme exponent of the art of solo playing.”
4BarsRest.com – the Online Brass Magazine
“YEO AND HUDSON EXCEL. . .uncompromising high quality.”
Brass Band World Magazine
“A wonderful program of solos and duets marked by great variety, technical assurance, and above all, mature musical lyricism.”
The Brass Band Bridge
“Surface virtuosity is eschewed in favour of lyricism and refined musicianship. . .played with exquisite sensitivity.”
The British Bandsman Magazine
“A remarkable CD . . . This is a must-have album.”
The Online Trombone Journal
“Yeo and Hudson’s attention to musical line and lyric quality is purely exquisite and refreshing from top to bottom.”
International Trombone Association Journal

Discography
In addition to the list of compact disc recordings below, Nick has been featured soloist in
more than fifty BBC and international radio broadcasts.

SOLO RECORDINGS
New Horizons (Belburn)
Anthology (Polyphonic)
Two of a Mind (SP&S)
Comrades (SP&S)
FEATURED GUEST SOLOIST RECORDINGS
Sovereign Soloists (Doyen Recordings)
Sovereign Soloists meet CWS Glasgow Band (Doyen Recordings)
Brass with Class (Polyphonic)
Year of the Dragon (Doyen Recordings)
NJBB of Switzerland ‘Live’ (Tonhalle)
Light as Air (Polyphonic)
Cry of the Celts (Polyphonic)
Brass in Concert ‘Live’ 2004 (SP&S)
Hamilton Band ‘Live’ in Canada (Simply Brass)
European Brass Band Championships (Polyphonic)
National Brass Band Championships (Polyphonic)
NJBB Graubunden Gala Concert (Tonnstudio)
Brass at the Masters (Polyphonic)
Premiere (Polyphonic)
Je Deux Enfant (Polyphonic)
Four Seasons (Polyphonic)
Swedish Brass Band Championships (Gothenburg Brass)
Brass Band Aid (Pennine Brass)
Shout (National Youth Brass Band of Switzerland 2010)
Tokyo City Brass (Japan) 2013
Where Have all The Flowers Gone – Desford Band (Island)
Recent Recital and Solo Engagements
Guest soloist with Tokyo City Concert Brass, Japan 2013
Concert Tour of Canada with National Arts Centre Orchestra Brass and Maple Leaf Brass – May 2008
Guest soloist and tutor National Youth Brass Band of Switzerland 2008
Performance of the Derek Bourgeois Trombone Concerto with TSO 2009
Adjudicating Panel for Swiss National Brass Championships in Sion, Switzerland 2009
Recital Tour of Toronto – May 2005
Guest Recital Huddersfield University – April 2005
US Open Band Championships – Chicago 2004
British Trombone Society Festival – Portadown, Northern Ireland 2004
Spanish Trombone Society Festival – Valencia 2003
Brass in Concert – Spennymoor 2003
Recital tour of Canada – 2003
Recital tour of New Zealand – 2003
Recital tour of Switzerland – 2003
Recital tour of Spain – 2003
New Jersey Brass Festival– New York 2002 and 2003
World Symphonic Wind Band Conference – Valencia 2002
Great Northern Brass Festival – Bridgewater Hall, Manchester 2002 and 2003
National Brass Band Championships– Royal Albert Hall, London 1999, 2002 and 2003
Regent Hall Brass Festival – London 2001 to 2003
Danish Brass Band Summer School 2002 – Hjorring, Denmark 2002
Low Brass Tutor Brass Band Summer School – Framlingham 1996 to present
British Open Brass Band Championships – Symphony Hall, Birmingham 2001
Recital tour of Australia – 1997

BIG Jazz Day 2024

Devon and Torbay Music Education Hubs and Plymouth Music Education Hub are delighted to present this year’s BIG Jazz Day for young musicians on Saturday 9 March at Exeter School, Exeter EX2 4NP with special guests The Tom Green Septet.

Join us from 3.45-5.45pm for a Jazz and Big Band workshop with Tom Green (trombone) and supported by South Devon Youth Jazz, Lipson Cooperative Big Band and Devon Youth Jazz Orchestra – it’s open to any students Grade 2+ who are interested in playing jazz on any instrument.

This will be followed by a celebration jazz concert from 7-9pm, with the massed bands and masterclass participants opening the concert, which parents/carers/supporters are very welcome to attend.

Please note:
There is no charge for young musicians participating in the workshop and/or performance. Admittance to the evening concert for parents/carers/supporters will cost £6/£4 concessions – please book tickets in advance here.

Devon & Torbay Music Education Hubs would like acknowledge the generous support of Exeter School for hosting this event.

Emily Howard

Emily Howard has worked as a full time musician since leaving university, where she studied BA Hons in Music Performance at Falmouth. She currently plays in Exeter folk band The Dillyboys, alongside solo shows. Emily also works as a session guitarist and vocalist; a highlight for her so far being a tour with the Phil Beer Band. Emily hosts open mic jam sessions in Exeter, and last year got the opportunity to work for Rebel Girls at Boomtown Festival. Emily has recently released her third album through her own record label Random Fish Records, and has been featured on BBC Introducing. When Emily is not gigging she works as a music educator, teaching guitar and vocals from her home studio, and running music workshops at youth clubs, events and festivals with the Mobile Music Hub.

Employment History
2021-present- music tutor at the Mobile Music Hub. Working with all ages and abilities teaching vocals, guitar and delivering workshops.
2021-2022- music leader at the Station Newton Abbot. Working with young people with additional needs. Using music technology to inspire and create new music for Christmas.
2020- 2021- Musical Director. Working with young people at Doorstep Arts in Paignton. Devising original music for the Protest and Rebellion project.
2019- 2021 – Samba band leader. Coordinating the drumming group in Exeter, leading the band on the marches for the youth led ‘Fridays for Future’ climate strikes.
2019- 2021 – Soundwaves Support Worker. Facilitating Saturday morning music making sessions for adults with learning difficulties, currently devising a musical about a giant flea in Paris.
2019- present- Freelance Music Leader. Planning and delivering music workshops tailor-made for community groups such as Doorstep Arts, DAISI and Play Torbay.
2018-2019 – Music Leader mentee (Daisi soundwaves project.) Delivery of music sessions at the Hive youth centre in Exmouth.
2017-2021 – Guitar Accompanist Big Noise Chorus. The Big Noise Chorus is a network of community choirs run by vocal practitioner and choir leader Colin Rea.
2014- 2018 – Wren Music Leader. Wren Music is a company of skilled, experienced and highly qualified professional musicians of international repute. Wren has a strong focus on the folk music tradition from England, and around the world. Emily ran folk choirs and folk orchestras around Devon for all ages and abilities.
2014- present- Guitar, ukulele and vocal tuition. Employed firstly by the franchise Instrumental Music Services (IMS) , Emily now teaches freelance from a studio in Exeter.
2005-present- Professional Musician. Emily runs a self releasing record label named Random Fish Records, releasing albums of original songs, collaborating with talented musicians from the South West, gigging regularly at pubs, clubs and festivals.
2007-present- Open Mic Night Host. Emily promotes and hosts open mics in the city of Exeter and has developed a sense of community amongst the local performers, creating a welcoming space each week for people to come and showcase music, poetry and comedy.
2014-2015 – Monkey Music. Specialising in preschool music classes from newborn babies up to 5 years old.
2013- 2015 – Theatrebugs. Emily ran after school clubs for 5-8 year olds, featuring story time, singing, dancing, games, and acting.
2012 – Musical Director. Emily worked with performers and musicians in the Penryn Players production of Beauty and the Beast.
Education and Qualifications
2017-2018 – Wren Music/Trinity/Musicians Union -Certificate in Music Education
2009-2012 – University College Falmouth (incorporating Dartington College of Arts.) -BA Hons – Music Performance 2:1
2007-2009 – South Devon College, Devon. – B-Tech in Music Performance – Triple Distinction
2001-2008 – Churston Ferrers Grammar School, Devon. AS Levels – (A) Drama. (C) Psychology, Religious Studies. GCSEs – (A*) Music, (AA) Science Double Award, (A) Geography, French, Drama, Religious Studies, (B) English, English Literature, Mathematics.
Other Qualifications

2010 – Grade 8 singing (Merit).
2009 – Grade 7 singing
2008 – Grade 6 singing (Merit) Trinity Guildhall
2021 – Grade 1 drumming (Distinction)
2021 – Grade 1 guitar (Distinction) RSL
2022 – Grade 2 guitar (Distinction) RSL
2023 – Grade 3 guitar (Merit) RSL

2009 – Grade 5 Theory of Music. Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music

Understanding Autism Course
Recovery Devon Mental Health First Aid
Musician’s Union Safeguarding Course
Participation and volunteering training Space Youth Services
2021 – Arts Award Advisor Training (Discover & Explore awards)

References available upon request.

Baroque Without Borders by Devon Baroque Orchestra

The Devon Baroque Orchestra has announced its upcoming concert at Dartington Hall, Totnes, on Sunday the 18th February at 3pm. They will be playing Bach’s wonderful Brandenberg Concerto No. 5 along with pieces by Purcell, Corelli and Vivaldi.

For GCSE Music students in 2024 the Brandenburg Concerto no 5 (Edexcel board) and Corelli’s Concerto Grosso op.6 no. 4 (OCR Board) will provide a focus and support for music students.

James Hudson the chair of Devon Baroque said “This concert will give the audience insights into the contrasting playing styles from across Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries and played on period instruments and of course the beautiful setting of the Great Hall with its history and superb acoustics provide the very best platform for the 15 professional players of “The Devon Baroque Orchestra”

The Orchestra led by Artistic Director Persephone Gibbs and Director Andrew Wilson-Dickson.
The Soloists are renowned Georgia Browne- flute, and Matthew Nisbet- theorbo, (long necked lute).

Programme:
Corelli: Concerto Grosso op.6 no. 4 in D
Purcell: Incidental Music to ‘Abdelazer, or The Moor’s Revenge’
Marais: Suite from ‘Alcyone’: overture, dances and storm music

Vivaldi: ‘La Tempesta di Mare’ op. 10 no. 1 (RV 433)
Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No.5 in D for flute, violin and harpsichord

A Level Masterclass: ‘Petals’ by Kaija Saariaho, Cello techniques.

Cellist Valerie Welbanks visiting TBGS to run a workshop on Kaija Saariaho’s “Petals” for solo cello and electronics on the afternoon of Thursday 22nd February.
The piece is on the Edexcel set works list for A Level students study, and is relevant to OCR, Eduqas and AQA’s contemporary art music units. The workshop is suitable for A level students and those in Year 11 who have opted for music in sixth form.
Valerie is an internationally experienced cellist, a member of the Ligeti Quartet and Marsyas Trio and a keen advocate for and expert on modern music, in particular the extended cello techniques that are so central to ‘Petals.’ Her doctorate thesis ‘Foundations of Modern Cello Technique’ is an essential source for cellists interested in modern music.
It would be fantastic to get as many local students to come along as possible so if you would like to bring some along, or if any of your sixth formers would like to attend under their own steam, please let get in touch. To book, contact Chris Eastman

Your chance to perform at Devon County Show – FULLY BOOKED

Devon & Torbay Music Education Hubs are delighted to offer young musicians from schools and hub supported activities the opportunity to perform on the main stage at Devon County Show 2024. We are looking for young musicians from Torbay and Devon schools to perform on Thursday 16 May and Friday 17 May . This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the musical talent of our young people and provide a much needed outlet to perform and experience live music again. As usual, performers and accompanying staff will benefit from free access to the rest of the showground for the whole day.

Barkham Ensemble play Mozart & Schumann

Mozart’s Piano Quartet in G Minor, K.478 & Schumann’s Piano Quartet in Eb, op.47 Caroline Clipsham (piano), Jonathan Storer (violin), Leonie Anderson (viola) & Lucy Wilding (cello). Tickets include refreshments. Presented by Barkham Exmoor CIC, a community interest company, no.148871. Click here for our Website, Twitter/X, Instagram, Facebook