Information About Adam - Plymouth teacher

Personal Description:

Adam BA (Hons) GCGI LRSM Dip Mus

Adam was born in Banbury, Oxfordshire in 1970. His musical upbringing was with the Salvation Army and local brass bands in the footsteps of his father and older brother. His father Ron, was simultaneously the Bandmaster of Banbury Citadel Salvation Army, Hook Norton Brass Band and the Thames Valley Police Band, while his brother Jason played in the senior Banbury Citadel band, was the principal cornet for Hook Norton and regularly guested with the Police Band and many others before going on to play for and conduct some of the UK’s top bands. Adam had a good start in music and was inspired and encouraged by his musical family.

Adam successfully auditioned and subsequently joined the Army as a musician in June 1987 and after basic training, studied at the Army Junior School of Music, where he studied tuba under Peter Wise, while continuing secondary music studies in piano in addition to developing skills on other musical instruments. Upon completion of the 2-year musical training, he joined the Band of the Royal Hussars (PWO) in 1989 and remained in the Cavalry until the end of his military service. During his service, Adam travelled and toured many countries across the world including UK, Germany, Canada, Cyprus, Italy, Kosovo, Iraq, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria and played frequently for Royalty, VIPs and dignitaries at prestigious events. He regularly featured as a soloist in concerts and recordings and while serving 24 years, he performed on tuba, percussion, French horn, clarinet, cornet, trombone and keyboards. Aside from his military administration duties, he was appointed the distinguished position of Trumpet Major and as well as rehearsing and training his team of Aida and Cavalry trumpets, he composed a Cavalry trumpet with percussion fanfare, which featured on one of the band’s CD recordings. He frequently deputised for the Director of Music and Bandmaster, taking full band and sectional rehearsals and his music compositions and arrangements for wind and brass ensembles, fanfare trumpets, as well as full military symphonic wind band, were regularly featured.

In 1997 he was awarded the highly-esteemed Licentiate of the Royal School of Music Diploma in Music Performance on tuba.

Adam attended the greatly-acclaimed Sergeants’ Course at Kneller Hall, Royal Military School of Music in 1999, tutored in performance by Partick Harrild, Professor of Tuba and the Principal tuba of the London Symphony Orchestra, conducting; under Rob Wiffin OBE, Professor of Conducting, while building on other musical skills including music theory, harmony, composition and aural with the School of Music Professors.

During his time with the band following a posting back to the UK in 2000, he developed an interest in conducting brass bands and spent 8 years as Musical Director for Weymouth Concert Brass, before moving on to other bands. During this time, he also appeared as guest conductor for rehearsals and concerts for wind bands and several brass bands including championship section bands; Woodfalls Band and Verwood Concert Brass.

He took on several private music students and worked closely with local schools, providing musical support in peripatetic lessons as well as classroom teaching.

Adam’s skill in composing, arranging and music editing led to him receiving several commissions including an RAF original regimental march (recorded by The RAF Central Band and HM Royal Marines Band), weddings and an entire musical for a school performance of Footloose as well as writing repertoire for his own enjoyment for a variety of musical genres.

Adam has performed with orchestras, brass bands, symphonic wind bands, dance, dixie and jazz bands as well as pop bands, brass and wind quintets (tuba and French horn) to name but a few and has a wealth of knowledge in the music industries.

While still working as a full time professional musician in the British Army, Adam studied with the Open University and gained a Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA Hons) Degree in Humanities and Music in 2011 and awarded the Graduate of the City & Guilds of London (GCGL) in Leadership and Management in 2010.

Since leaving the Army in January 2011, Adam has worked at the prestigious Denis Wick [Musical] Products, where he was responsible for product design, product testing and worldwide distribution amongst other duties and currently, is the Orchestra Manager at the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, the only professional symphonic orchestra in the South West, where he has held the position since 2012.

After relocating to Plymouth in 2020, he looks forward to accepting new music students and taking on fresh musical pursuits.

Tutoring Experience:

Classroom, band trainer, peripatetic lessons, private tutoring

Tutoring Approach:

A calm and friendly tutor with meticulous attention to detail at all levels from beginner through to expert. Grades or no grades, music should be challenging and enjoyable.