St Winefride’s School has a band with as many as thirty musicians. They rehearse weekly and perform at venues like Shrewsbury Square, the Cathedral and St Winefride’s Summer Fayre. This term, the band are hoping to play to audiences once again!
Mr Christopher Evans, who is a member of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, conducts the band and teaches brass instruments. He composes the music especially for St Winefride’s children and believes the emphasis should be on enjoyment and the joy of making music together. The lessons are in small groups, where the children are encouraged to work as a team and support each other. Playing alone at home is not so easy or rewarding, so audio accompaniments to the music, from the very first one-note tune to more complex band pieces, are available to download. Brass instruments can be hired from the school for a small charge and there is no obligation to buy.
Mr Evans studied tuba and composition at the Royal Academy of Music and has many compositions on the Music Examination Syllabus. He has coached for the National Youth Orchestra, the National Youth Brass band and the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and also adjudicated for the Young Musician of the Year. In 2010 he was awarded the ARAM for services to music.
