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She spends most of her time teaching others how to play the wide range of brass instruments that can be found in orchestras, brass bands and marching bands. For over 30 years she played in the 'Brighton and Hove City Brass' band where she started her musical career. This is not only a profession, but a hobby as well. Sian now plays in a ten piece ensemble 'Brass Fusion' performing with other 'ex bandsmen' on a casual, non-contesting, fun basis.
Although Sian primarily takes brass instrumental lessons, she does regularly run a theory class for all instrumentalists at one of the major schools. She also tries to cover basic theory points within her instrumental lessons as many players, not just brass, do not realise that once they obtain Grade Five practical they cannot move on until they have passed the Grade Five Theory exam. This can take quite a while if players have not covered any theory at all during their lessons. At present Sian has a 100% pass rate on all practical exams that her current students have taken.
Another string to her bow (!) is that she has run several recorder groups at one school as well as temporarily taking Year One music appreciation classes for a term. She also currently runs two brass ensembles at one of the major schools. Sian strives to help pupils obtain their graded examinations but at the same time keeping the playing fun and non pressured. The most important thing to her is that her pupils continue to enjoy playing and for it not to become a chore. To assist with the enjoyment of playing Sian runs a training band for anyone wishing to gain experience in group playing. All the terminology, harmony, sounds etc which are not experienced with individual lessons. The playing of 'non tune' parts where counting and listening are essential.
Sian is also Musical Director of one of the southern England's brass bands, where she regularly appears with them at local fetes, concerts, and garden parties. She is also a committee member for the Incorporated Society of Musicians.
Born in 1950 Paul studied music under Brian Richardson at what was then Chiswick Polytechnic, before being accepted at the Guildhall School of Music to take trombone as first study. After graduating from the Guildhall, he continued the musical eclecticism which has always been his mark, making his living within the fields of jazz, pop, early, classical and contemporary music.
In the eighties, together with Steve Lodder, Marc Parnell and Josefina Cupido, he formed the first incarnation of the band ‘Elephant’, which became a vehicle for his compositions, as well as those of Steve, Josefina and John Warren and Robin Clayton. That first version of Elephant and a duo with Steve Lodder opened the way for Paul to experiment with the use of various electronics and trombone.
He was a founder member of His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts (dir. Jeremy West) and played with The New London Consort, The Gabrieli Consort (Dir. Paul McCreesh). He has also worked with specialist period symphony orchestras such as The Hanover Band, and various chamber orchestras, including those directed by John Eliot Gardiner and Roger Norrington. Paul has arranged and played, for Mônica Vasconcelos’ Brazilian band Nois, and played Salsa with London bands La Clave and Roberto Pla’s Latin Jazz, as well as backing visiting stars such as Alfredo Rodriguez. He played in Bosco de Oliviera’s ‘Folia’, as well as numerous jazz groups.
Paul has performed, recorded and broadcast with artists from a wide variety of musical disciplines including:-
Brian Eno, Cayenne, Diana Ross, Don Rendell, Gallagher & Lyle, George Fenton, George Harrison, Georgie Fame, Ian Shaw, John Dankworth, John Harle, John Surman, John Warren Band, London Jazz Composers’ Orchestra (Dir: Barry Guy), London Jazz Orchestra, Mike Gibbs, Gil Evans, Mike Westbrook, National Health, National Theatre, Neil Innes, Paul Young, Soft Machine, Stan Tracey, The Stranglers and The Albion Dance Band etc.
Currently Paul lives in Brighton where he teaches and works
