Musical Director (MD): Eddie Garrard

Eddie is the Musical Director of the orchestra and is in overall charge of the music we play at rehearsals and concerts.

He joined Congleton Youth Orchestra in January 2005 and has since then been directing combined rehearsals for all three groups (including the Intermediate Wind and Strings Groups and the Senior Orchestra). He is supported by a string and woodwind tutor, along with three volunteer assistant tutors.

He is a very experienced musician, having been Director of Music in education for several years, as well as Musical Director of several choral groups.

 

 

Strings Tutor: Wanda Johnson

Wanda is a professional violin teacher and since 1997 has been coaching the Intermediate Strings Group, which forms a large number of the string players in the combined orchestra. She started the Beginners Strings Group in 2006, which she also tutors.

Wanda will help you to develop techniques which will enable you to reach the standard needed to play in the Senior Orchestra. Several of our current violinists have already graduated. Meanwhile you'll have a great time playing progressively more demanding parts and taking part in our regular concerts.

 

Wind Tutor: Judith Hearson

Judith is an experienced music teacher,and trumpet player. She has been musical director for many stage productions in and around Congleton.

She joined Congleton Youth Orchestra in September 2005 as Wind Tutor, taking rehearsals for the Intermediate Wind Group. Under her supervision the wind/brass group numbers have risen dramatically and she now has almost 40 musicians, at varying degrees of ability, under her wing.

If you play any woodwind or brass instrument, Judith will help develop your playing so you can reach the standard needed to play with the Senior Orchestra as well as play pieces written for woodwind and brass groups.

 

Assistant to String Tutor : Dr. Michael Seaton
Michael has been with the Orchestra almost since its inception and has been a valued and loyal member. He was appointed as voluntary assistant to the string tutor in January 2007. Michael will also be helping out with arranging parts for members as and when required.
Michael is an excellent Viola player
We congratulate Michael on obtaining his Doctorate in Engineering - Well Done Michael !

 

 

Assistant Wind Tutor : Anna Chappel
Anna is a founder member of the Orchestra and is also looked upon as a valued and loyal member.
Anna is a talented Clarinettist and Saxophonist, and brings a wealth of playing expertise to the younger members of the orchestra.
She was appointed as voluntary assistant to the wind tutor in January 2007.

 

Assistant Tutor : Steve Churchill
Steve joined the CYO in January 2010. He is a former professional musician and plays a range of wind, keyboard and percussion instruments. He returned to University in 2000 obtaining a BA Hons Degree in Contemporary Arts, majoring in Music. He followed this up with post graduate studies, achieving a PGCE in Further and Higher Education and was then employed in Education at Stoke on Trent College along with  supply teaching in several schools in Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent. He has taught music to both mainstream students and pupils with learning disabilities.
He is Musical Director of the Ceramic Brass Band in Longton, Stoke on Trent.
He is currently enjoying his roles as tutor in the orchestra and MD of the Brass Band, as both present the opportunity to share his passion for music with others.   

Assistant Tutor - Lucy Moss
Lucy is our most recent volunteer. She studied music at University and currently teaches in Newcastle under Lyme. Lucy plays Clarinet, Piano and Double Bass. Since bringing her own two children to join the orchestra's new training scheme, it has brought back fond memories of her own involvement with music groups and training orchestra's and her eventual progression through to the County Youth Orchestra in Somerset.

 

Orchestral Representatives:
Stevie Jepson & Anna Kemball

Stevie was elected as Orchestral Representatives at the AGM in October 2008 . She is joined for the year 2009/2010 by Anna Kemball who was elected at the A.G.M. in October 2009.

Orchestral Representatives sit on the Executive Committee, and are elected every year at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). They are responsible for putting forward to the Advisory Committee (which meets every six weeks or so) any comments that members may have as to how they wish the orchestra to be run, along with suggestions for social activities etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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