Royal British Legion Youth Band Brentwood

Home

Highlights

Objectives

News

News Page
Updated 17th August 2008

The Royal British Legion
Youth Band - Brentwood

The Band Room, The Drive,
Warley, Brentwood,
Essex CM13 3BH
Telephone : 01277 221967
Fax : 01277 221967

Instructors

JOHN WYNDHAM MBE

Founder and Band Director

Following a lifetime of interest and participation in traditional and modern music I founded the band, that is now known as The Royal British Legion Youth Band, Brentwood. In the beginning I was responsible for every aspect of the band. Now I enjoy the role of main administrator thanks to the support, dedication and expertise of the volunteer instructors and staff, whose assistance has made the band what it is today.

Cpl JOHN SEABROOK LLSM.

Woodwind Instructor and Conductor
John started his playing career at the London Nautical School where he studied under Mr John Bowler Piccoloist and flautist with the Covent Garden Opera Orchestra. Whilst still at school he played with the London Schools Symphonic Band and the London Schools Training Orchestra.

In 1979 he joined the Army as a Musician and was sent for training at The Queen ’ s Division School of Music at Bassingbourne Herts. He was later posted to the 1st Bn the Queen ’ s Regimental Band (later the Albuhera Band the Queen ’ s Regiment) under the baton of WO1 Phillip Hills. Whilst serving in the Army he travelled and performed extensively in Europe and Great Britain and also attended the Royal Military School of Music (kneller Hall) where he studied under professor of flute, George Crozier. During this time he also performed with the Kingston Philharmonia. John continued his studies after leaving Kneller Hall and whilst serving in Northern Ireland he studied briefly under Mr Colin Fleming principal flute of the Ulster Orchestra and whilst in the UK with Ms Susan Milan (now professor of flute at the Royal College of Music) He eventually left Her Majesty ’ s forces to pursue another career but maintained his passion for music and the flute, playing with the Croydon Orchestra and with the North London Concert Band. He has taught the flute for many years both in South East and East London. His involvement with the Brentwood British Legion Youth Band not only includes woodwind instruction but he has recently taken up the baton as an additional member of the conducting team.

GREG TIMSON

Brass Instructor and Conductor
Greg played in bands from the age of 10 principally as a trombonist but also on e-flat bass, baritone, tenor horn and euphonium.

He started arranging music at the age of 13 and at 17 was invited to 'Brentwood Bugles' agreeing to help instruct and advise during the bands transition from drum and bugle to full chromatic instrumentation (luckily all the arrangements he did for the band could be used as part of his 'A' level music coursework)

On his 18th birthday he conducted the band in a concert marking the bands inauguration as 'The Royal British Legion Youth Band Brentwood'.

After graduating with distinction from Performing Arts College he left the band to work as a singer/actor, highlights of which included performing all over the UK both as a soloist and as part of various production shows and musicals. Touring India and 6 months cruising Southeast Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia). He then played the lead role of 'Donald' in the post west-end production of 'Casper the Musical', working with renowned producer/choreographer 'Dougie Squires' and director 'David Bell' and 4 consecutive contracts with Butlins as vocalist.

Television credits include:
The Children's Royal Variety Performance 1997.
Back to the Floor.
Hearts of Gold.
Blue Peter (twice).
What's that Noise?
The Six O'clock Show.

website design by www.lookmedia.co.uk