Player Profiles

Conductor - Tom Martin

Tom has been with the band since January 2010. He was born in 1985 and began studying the saxophone aged ten. He read music at the University of Exeter under the tuition of Nicholas White, graduating in 2006 with first class honours. During his Bachelors degree, Tom had the opportunity to tour with Exeter University String Orchestra, performing the Glazunov Concerto in Lisbon, Portugal. He also performed Gavin Bryars The Green Ray with Exeter University Symphony Orchestra, and organised tours with the Exeter University Jazz Orchestra to Dublin and Edinburgh. In 2006, Tom performed Joe Duddell's Fracture at the 14th World Saxophone Congress, which was held in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

After gaining financial support through the David Cawthra Fund, Tom embarked upon postgraduate education at Birmingham Conservatoire in 2007, under the tutorship of Naomi Sullivan and Andrew Tweed. During these studies, Tom also received expertise from a variety of visiting saxophonists, notably Arno Bornkamp, Kyle Horch, Damien Royannais, and Jean-Ives Formeau. Tom won the Birmingham Conservatoire Saxophone Prize, and regularly performed new works with the Conservatoire Saxophone Ensemble, as well as working in close collaboration with composers writing for saxophone and electronics.

Currently, Tom works in the Birmingham area as a freelance musician, and teaches saxophone at Bromsgrove School. In the near future, Tom aspires to gain funding that will allow him to commence music research at doctoral level.

1st – Gerald Griggs

After years of watching others play music, in 2004, whilst in my early 30s I uttered the phrase ‘I wish I could do that.’ That was the trigger for me to spontaneously buy an instrument. Over a period of days I plumped for the clarinet, though I can’t remember entirely why! Years of lessons followed both to play my instrument and to read music until the end of 2009 when I decided I should try and play with others. After that I never looked back and with the encouragement of others in the band, I moved to playing 1st Clarinet.

1st – Vicky Stock

Vicky first joined the band in about 2003 when she wanted to find a band both she and her brass-playing boyfriend (now husband), Tim, could play in. She sat on the lower parts for a while but worked her way up to 1st when a vacancy arose on the part. She has played clarinet since she was 12, and is at Grade 6 standard, but gave up while at university and only really took it up again when she met Tim. She has also been secretary since 2004 and greatly enjoys the role which includes booking concerts and various admin jobs. She has recently purchased a bass clarinet and is working on that when she gets a spare minute! She is very proud of how the band have progressed during the past couple of years and thinks the band has a great social atmosphere as well which makes it very welcoming for newer players.

2nd - Sam Hutchcocks

As part of Blackwell Concert Band I play 2nd clarinet and have been playing with them since 2009. I used to play as part of a marching band and in total I have played clarinet on and off for 30-odd years!

3rd Clarinet - Mary Kent

Mary plays the clarinet, is one of the older members of the Wind Band and also probably the least experienced player but she loves the opportunity to play in the band and has been a member since 2009.

3rd /Bass Clarinet - Sarah Bradley

I took up the clarinet in my late ‘40’s having never played an instrument before, so it has been a great challenge for both brain and fingers! That said, I really enjoy it and still can’t believe I have managed to pass Grade 5. The band, where I play third clarinet, has been a huge support to my endeavours. It’s relaxed, friendly and encouraging and a great opportunity to play a good mix of wind band music.

3rd Clarinet - Francis Devey

I am returning to Clarinet playing after a break of 30 years and sometimes manage to play 3rd Clarinet!

1st Flute - Amanda Britten

I have been playing as 1st flute with Blackwell Concert Band since 2005 when I picked the flute up again having not played since university. Before this I played with the Birmingham Schools Concert Band and Aberystwyth University Wind Band. When I am not playing with the band, I work as a primary school teacher in Dudley, where I lead the school choir at Christmas time, as well as the recorder group. Belonging to Blackwell has given me the opportunity to enjoy playing to an audience again; my favourite engagement of the year always being the Botanical Gardens due to the magical setting!

Flute - Alison Smith

I play the flute and, like several members of the band, had not played since school days! I am glad I finally decided to give it a go again, and now really enjoy playing with the band and sometimes at church too.

Flute - Lesley

I have been a member of the band since 2009. I play flute which I haven’t played since leaving school. I thoroughly enjoy being part of a band again.

1st Cornet - Tim Stock

Tim has been a musician since he was about 11 when he took up the tuba at school. He joined West Mercia Police Band at about the same age and is now on cornet with them. He also plays with Crown Phoenix Big Band and ad hoc with anyone else who asks! He joined the band with Vicky and primarily plays 1st cornet. Music is a huge part of his life and he is pleased that he and Vicky have found a band they can both play with and be such a big part of. He has been a keen promoter of social events and the band now go for a drink after most rehearsals thanks to his efforts.

E♭ Tenor Horn - Ann Tipper

I taught myself to play the E♭ Tenor horn in 1997 on a challenge from my cornet and trombone playing sons. I was then persuaded by a fellow teacher, a granddaughter of the Eric Ball, to join herself and a few friends who had just started a brass band for the pleasure of it. At the time I knew 10 notes and was mostly lost and panic-stricken.

Since then the band has passed through many changes in size, style, instrumentation and name. Most of that time I have been their librarian, also storing most of the music until we got a filing cabinet in 2003!

I have played with Arrow Valley B Band, Kidderminster Band, Halesowen Brass Band and the Stedfast Boys Brigade Band. It has been a great pleasure to me to take part in all of this - and I'm glad I got the courage up to learn the instrument and join the band!

Alto Sax - David Bowler

I have played saxophone/clarinet for many years, originally with local dance bands (in the good old days!), and sometimes in pit orchestras for amateur operatic societies. I have been with Blackwell CB since 2010, and play either first or second Alto parts as required.

Alto Sax - John Croxton

John had always envied people who could make music but never had the opportunity to learn when he was young. He took up the clarinet when approaching retirement whilst attending an evening course on Music Appreciation and later joined the Blackwell Concert Band. When there was an influx of excellent clarinet players into the band he tried an alto saxophone lent to him by a family member. He enjoyed the change and the family got together and bought him a new one for Fathers Day. He is coached by Tom Martin, the conductor and director, who is a highly qualified musician and saxophone specialist. John has found him to be a really excellent teacher. Apart from the music John greatly values the social contacts and friendships made in the band.

Tenor Saxophone - David

Like several members of the Band I was an adult learner. I started learning the piano lessons when my older son started having lessons. It was very convenient as the piano teacher lived 3 doors down from us. However I always had an ambition to play the tenor sax being a big jazz fan particularly tenor sax players such as Lester Young, Stan Getz, John Coltrane, Charles Lloyd, and Jan Garbarek amongst loads of others.

I learned to play the sax by means of Birmingham adult education and first started to play in a group setting by joining a contemporary music group called COMA Birmingham. I joined the band about 10 years ago and have very much enjoyed playing with them ever since.

Euphonium - David Wornham

I joined the band in 2010 as euphonium player. I played cornet from the age of 10 to 20, leading to school orchestra and Ware Town Band, Herts., who competed in the 4th division. I played bugle and military flute in my school Army Cadet Force. I played nothing for over 30 years whilst working shifts. On retirement from full-time work, I bought a euphonium and, five years later, plucked up the courage to join a band again. I am finding that it stretches my limited talent, but I am enjoying the experience. I am also a collector of wind instruments, giving demonstrated talks to local groups. See http://sites.google.com/site/tunefultubes

Euphonium - Sarah Williams

Sarah adds to the family atmosphere in the band, being Tim’s sister. She played a lot when younger and studied Music as a degree before joining West Mercia and Gloucestershire police bands for several years. She gave up music for a few years when she got married and had a baby, but is now keen to pick it up again, so joined Blackwell in 2010. She loves the socialising aspect of the band and is settling in well.

Kevin Pearson

I have been with Blackwell band now since about 2003, I think, been to bed many times since I joined up. I play Trombone, often badly, but one tries. I will usually be found near the bassoon and bass player – a wonderful spot in the band.

I have now been Chairman since about 2004, a job I value immensely and enjoy to the full. It is a joy to work with and for the band – so many talented people from so many different walks of life with so many different ages and personalities.

I started playing with a group in Bromsgrove called Music For You. I went along because the son wanted to learn to play so took him along and ended up with a trombone in my hands. I stayed with them for about 3 years and then moved to Blackwell during a summer break and never went back as rehearsal nights clashed: a move I have not regretted.

My aim for the band is for it to be the very best it can be. I know we will never be the CBSO but then we don’t want to be. We are a village band, a community band and proud of it. If we can entertain an audience, send them home smiling and happy, have all members of the band happy too; that’s the best it can be.

New members are always welcome; as long as you can play an octave we will welcome you into the band; the rest you will learn as you go.