Simon Andrew Burgess

About Organiser

I have extensive experience as a bandsman in brass & wind bands, orchestras and with stage companies.  I have also sung in a number of amateur choirs in all voices of the male range.  During service in the Royal Navy, I was a member of the Volunteer Bands and finished my career as an assistant to the Royal Marine Colour Sergeant Bandmaster not only as a trombone player but as assistant conductor.  This has led to further experience in this field and summer courses with Laszlo Mariosi and Guy Wolfenden providing me with an invaluable insight into the professional world of conducting and jobs covering stage musicals, orchestras, many bands and ensembles.  I have subsequently conducted the Darlington Community Wind Band and Garforth Jubilee Brass Band My piano career started when I was 6 and I achieved Grade 8 through the ABRSM and LCM by the time I was 14.  Unfortunately, there are not a lot of opportunities to play the piano in the forces, so it was rather put on hold, but now that I am retired, I have taken it back up with the intention of becoming the best I can.  My first challenge to myself was to retake Grade 8 in a year and I succeeded with Merit. I currently.

• Play Trombone and French Horn for the Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of the Yorkshire Volunteers.
• take piano lessons from Julian Saphir.
• Play 3rd Cornet for Gawthorpe 85 Brass Band
• Conductor and Musical Director of the Preston Players, a local community wind band

My singing career has ended for now due to the disbandment of Micklefield Male Voice Choir, the members being too old to continue and no younger members willing to join, and to the success of my business. Something I will be taking up again once I decide to retire from teaching. I undertook my degree during service in the Royal Navy and on retiring went to Durham University for my PGSE.  Following this I did my NQT year and completed my qualified teacher status at the David Young Community Academy in Seacroft, Leeds.  After 2 1/2 years I decided that this was not the life for me and to work for myself. During this time, I taught a full range of music to key stage 3, Btec level 2 and 3 in Music and Performing Arts.  English Language, Religious Education and PSHE.