BAHonsMusEd, FTCL, LTCL (Teach)

Linda

Linda was born in Reading, Berkshire and studied at Highdown Comprehensive School in Emmer Green. Having learned the Piano from the age of eight she took up the Trombone whilst at secondary school and joined the local Town Band of Spring Gardens. In the meantime, there was an opportunity to take up the Euphonium in the School Band which enabled her to gain experience of playing both slide and valves. In 1978 Linda joined the Tadley Band who were aspiring to the Championship section and was offered the Solo Horn position.

A place was taken up at Kingston in Surrey to study Music (Tenor Horn and Piano) in 1981 and the next three years were spent working towards a Licentiate diploma from Trinity College, London aswell as a BAHonsMusEd degree. This was between giving recitals and playing with various ensembles and bands in the London and Surrey area including a spell with the famous Hanwell Band.

Moving to Norfolk in 1986, Linda joined Matthews Norfolk Brass and began teaching Brass and Piano on a part – time basis. By 1989 this became a full – time occupation and over the next couple of years posts were also held conducting South Broadland Brass and Waveney Valley Brass.

In 1991 Linda formed her own Band, based in Martham where she was living at the time, from a group of her own pupils. This became known as Fleggburgh Brass and was the predecessor of the Norfolk Broads Concert Band.

Linda continued to work at her conducting, teaching and playing and in 1993 gained her FTCL (Fellowship, performing diploma) on the Tenor Horn. The following year saw an opportunity to take up teaching work with the Music for Schools Foundation which involved the challenge of studying Flute, Clarinet and Saxophone and expanding into teaching Woodwind.

1999 to 2001 became a time of concentrating on Solo work and during this time prizes were gained throughout East Anglia, London and the Southern Counties. Linda also took part in the British Open Solo Championships for three consecutive years and the European Solo Championships in 2001.

Over the last ten years Linda has held the Solo Horn positions with Ipswich Co-op Band and Clacton Co-op Band aswell as short spells helping out other local groups. Whilst continuing to teach Brass, Woodwind, Piano and Music Theory on a self employed basis at home and in schools she also directs several school ensembles and, of course, the Norfolk Wherry Brass Band.