The Isle of Man Wind Orchestra holds its annual Wind and Brass Weekend between the 8th and 10th February 2013. The guest musical director for the weekend will be Wing Commander Duncan Stubbs, Principal Director of Music with the Royal Air Force.
The Wind and Brass Weekend, which is supported by the Isle of Man Arts Council, will be held at St John’s Primary School and any musician who plays a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument is welcome to join the members of the orchestra for the event.
‘The orchestra is very fortunate in being able to attract the Wing Commander to the Island to lead this event,’ said Chairman Michael Morrison. ‘When we asked Duncan if he would join us, he was delighted to do so as he has good memories of family holidays here many years ago.’
Wing Commander Stubbs developed his love of music at an early age. Following graduation from York University, he specialised in Music Education and Performance during his post graduate year at Birmingham. More recently he has completed a Master of Music Degree, where he received both the William Primrose and Albert Thomas Howard Composition prizes for composition.
His career with the Royal Air Force began in 1983 when he joined the Central Band of the Royal Air Force as a bassoon player. Commissioned as a Director of Music in 1990, he was one of the youngest ever Directors of Music in all three services. He has served with all the Royal Air Force’s established bands and completed an operational tour during the first Gulf War.
The weekend will see musicians tackle a variety of music for wind orchestras and Duncan is keen to lead some big band music. Michael said: ‘As usual, the annual event will be open to all musicians playing wind, brass and percussion instruments regardless of age and experience, even if they don’t usually play with the orchestra. We are particularly interested in encouraging musicians from schools.’
Attendance at the event is free to students in full-time education and a registration fee of ?20 is payable for all others. ‘The workshop will include the now-traditional social evening, Saturday 9th February, and a workshop concert at St John’s School at 2pm on Sunday 10th February and we will publish more details shortly,’ Michael added.
The community orchestra rehearses at Marown Primary School at 7.45pm on Thursdays during term-time.
For further information or to take part in any of the events, contact Michael on 437751, email winds@wm.im or send a message via the website, http://www.iomwo.com.
