Music

Sessions organised by the South Tyneside Music Service in schools are all delivered by qualified teachers / tutors. 

Below is a short profile of each music teacher / tutors in South Tyneside. 

Catherine Freeman

Job title and responsibilities

Woodwind Teacher / Ensemble Lead

About me

Studied at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, followed by teacher training at Bretton Hall College.

Qualifications

BA (Hons) Music, PGCE, LTCL

Musical experience

I have taught woodwind for South Tyneside Music Service since 1994, specialising in clarinet, saxophone and flute.

Most of my students attend the Wind Band Centre, and play in orchestras, ensembles, cadet bands and jazz ensembles, and I encourage as much participation in ensemble music as possible.

My students are encouraged to perform in a variety of styles, in large and small scale events, and to enjoy their music making.

My background is orchestral, and I enjoy performing with the New Tyneside Orchestra in Newcastle. Most of my work outside teaching takes place in the theatre, and I perform regularly in theatres throughout the North East.

Contact details: catherine.freeman@southtyneside.gov.uk

Rachel Graham

Job title and responsibilities

Peripatetic Strings Teacher 

Qualifications

• P.G.C.E 

Contact details: rachel.graham@southtyneside.gov.uk

Alistair Storey

Job title and responsibilities

Brass Teacher / Ensemble Lead

I am a peripatetic brass teacher that goes round both primary and secondary schools, recruiting and teaching pupils from Year 4 to Year 13. I teach brass from individual pupils up to whole class brass in the authority's 'First Access' classes.

I have been a member of staff with the Music Centre, that meets on Saturday mornings, for the last 18 years rehearsing, teaching, conducting and playing with all of the centre bands.

I also conduct South Tyneside Orchestra which is a community orchestra. We rehearse popular music to perform at concerts and events throughout the year.

About me

I studied at Newcastle College to gain the Graduate Diploma in Classical Music. I then studied at Sunderland University to gain my B.A. (Hons) in Music Education. I can play and teach all brass instruments but specialise in the tuba. I am also able to teach piano / keyboard and recorder.

Qualifications

• Qualified Music Teacher, B.A. (Hons) in Music Education
• Graduate Diploma in Classical Music
• Grade 8 Tuba - Associated Board Royal School of Music

Musical experience

I have played and do play in a lot of different styles and groups.

My main background has been in brass band playing, playing with bands for over 30 years. I currently play with the Reg Vardy Band. This is a Championship Section Level Band which I have played with for 10 years.

I have also have played in brass quintets, orchestras, wind bands, theatre bands (in the pit) as well as conducting various bands, orchestras and as theatre shows as an MD.

Contact details: alistair.storey@ southtyneside.gov.uk

Derek Bird

Job title and responsibilities

Percussion Teacher / Piano Teacher / Ensemble Lead

I am currently teaching a wide range of whole class groups from year 1 to year 6 in primary schools across the borough in Glockenspiel, African Djembe drums as well as Brazilian Samba drumming. I also teach keyboards in small groups in a number of primary schools, helping to develop skills in key stage 1 and 2.

I provide individual drum kit lessons in a number of secondary schools, working with music teachers to help older pupils through their GCSE music performance exams as well as rock school and / or guildhall drum exams from beginner to more advanced, or simply building life skills.

About me

I first played a military marching snare drum in the South Tyneside Pipe Band then started playing drum kit in a number of local bands and now I have over 30 years experience in performing with other musicians live in a wide variety of venues and settings.

After studying music at college and then university, I started working as a music lecturer at South Tyneside College as well as teaching a number of private students locally. I joined Music Services as a percussion tutor and I have been working in South Tyneside schools, building a good working relationships with teachers and heads.

Qualifications

A level Music: BA (HONS) Music: PGCE

Musical experience

I have over 30 years as a working musician playing in a variety of bands across many different styles. I have held samba workshops, led a young drum group and organised concerts for them.

Contact details: derek.bird@southtyneside.gov.uk

Adam Nyberg

Job title and responsibilities

Strings Teacher / Ensemble Lead

Contact details: adam.nyberg@southtyneside.gov.uk

Linda Gibson

Job title and responsibilities

Brass / Ensemble Tutor

About me

I studied at Boldon Comprehensive School playing cornet / trumpet and tenor horn, before moving on to tutoring others with the South Tyneside Brass Band Centre.

Qualifications

Grade 8 Cornet Associated Board Royal School of Music

Musical experience

I've been a tutor with the Saturday Brass Band Centre since March 2009. I have played since the age of 11, and have played at championship standard in several local brass bands over the years.

I have played at the Royal Albert Hall and other venues in various competitions. I have mainly played cornet and held Principal Cornet position for several years at a local brass band. 

During the last few years I have moved on to tenor horn and find this a pleasant change. I no longer play competitively.

Contact details: music@southtyneside.gov.uk

David Hazell

Job title and responsibilities

Brass / Ensemble Tutor / Conductor

About me

I have both Music and Education degrees as well as performing and teaching diplomas for both trumpet and piano. My training and qualifications were obtained from Leeds and Newcastle University and the Colleges of Music.

I was formerly an examiner for the Guildhall School of Music Examinations (nine years) and became an examiner for Trinity / Guildhall Schools of Music soon after the amalgamation in 2006, a post I still currently hold examining all instruments from Grades 1 - 8 and Certificate and Diploma Examinations.

I have also been a Senior Examiner for 'A' Level and AS Music, a GCSE examiner, and have been on the music panel and awarding committees for GCSE Music Examinations in the past.

I have conducted many 'Syllabus-Specific Support Programmes' for both GCSE and 'A' Level.

Qualifications

• BA (Music)
• MED
• BED (Hons)
• LRAM (Piano - Teaching)
• ARCM (Piano - Teaching)
• LTCL (Piano - Performing)
• LGSM (Trumpet - Teaching)
• LLCM (Trumpet - Performing)
• ALCM (Trumpet - Performing)

Musical experience

I began my career as a comprehensive school teacher in the North East of England, undertaking part-time lecturing in a College of Education and further Heads of Music posts, including Middle and High Schools, before leaving teaching and becoming a freelance musician, examiner and conductor.

I have been a Musical Director / Conductor for many choirs, brass bands, orchestras and musical societies in the North East of England having been responsible for many musicals too numerours to mention.

My experience in the brass band competition field is also extensive having conducted in the championship section and lower sections.

I have also been the Musical Director for a local theatre for over 20 years in which pantomimes and musical shows were performed annually.

I teach a considerable number of students in my private practice - piano, electronic keyboard, all brass instruments and singing. As a trumpet and cornet player I have given recitals, played in brass bands and orchestras.

As a pianist I have given recitals, performed concertos, accompanied choirs and many soloists including, in the brass band field, David Childs, Dudley Bright, Shona White, Steven Sykes and Alan Morrison to name but a few.

I also have experience in composition and arranging with many of my compositions and arrangements having been performed in my local region.

Contact details: music@southtyneside.gov.uk

John Ioannides

Job title and responsibilities

Woodwind / Ensemble Tutor / Conductor

Contact details: music@southtyneside.gov.uk

Colin Niel

Job title and responsibilities

Brass / Ensemble Tutor

About me

My music qualifications for trombone playing were awarded by the London College of Music.

Although I am a trombone player I can also play valved instruments and consequently I am able to teach the full range of brass instruments.

Qualifications

• Licentiate of London College of Music (Trombone Playing) - 1977 - LLCM
• Associate of the London College of Music (Trombone Playing) - 1976 - ALCM

Musical experience

Music Education Experience

September 1980 to date: Part-time Music Tutor for South Tyneside Council.

Co-Director of South Tyneside Schools Brass Band Scheme Centre in 2004-5 responsible for:

• Administration and promotion of the centre
• Communication with parents
• Communication with the Head of Music Services and Staff
• Co-ordination with other parts of the music services such as the wind band and string orchestra centres
• Organisation of concerts and other performances by groups from the centre

Music Tutor responsible for:

• Teaching the full range of brass instruments
• Rehearsing premier, senior and beginner bands
• Preparing bands for concerts and conducting the bands at the concerts
• Taking section rehearsals
• Individual tuition in preparation for grade exams when required

Music Performance Experience:

• Principal trombone in Monkwearmouth band of the Salvation Army where my solo repertoire includes the Ferdinand David "Concertino", Ray Steadman Allen's "The Eternal Quest" and Erik Leidzen's "Concertino for Band and Trombone"
• Solo performances with piano accompaniment in fund raising concerts, repertoire includes Movements from the Gordon Jacob Trombone Concerto, Rimsky-Korsakoff's "Flight of the Bumble Bee"
• Playing in pit orchestras for shows e.g. Sweet Charity, Fame, Me and My Girl etc
• Occasional performances with Bede Wind Band and South Tyneside Orchestra

Contact details: music@southtyneside.gov.uk

Martin Nilsson

Job title and responsibilities

Music Tutor: Playing the tuba and working with the low brass in both the junior and senior wind bands.

About me

I started playing brass relatively late at Boldon School and the Saturday Brass Centre.

My first instrument was the tenor horn but that didn't last long and the instruments grew in size until I was playing tuba before I left Boldon.

Qualifications

As I started playing relatively late and took a while to settle on playing the tuba I didn't have a lot of time to gain formal qualifications.

I do have grades 4 practical and 5 theory from the ABRSM as well as GCSE and A level music.

However I also have over 20 years experience playing with local brass and wind bands.

Musical experience

I've been playing long enough to have gained some great musical experiences.

After starting out in school bands at Boldon and the Saturday Brass Centre I joined Boldon Brass Band and enjoyed competition success with them both locally and around the country. 

After a few years away at university I came back to South Tyneside and joined Westoe Brass Band and Bede Windband. With these I was lucky enough to play in all of the best music venues in the North East and further afield such as the Guild Hall in Preston, the Winter Gardens in Blackpool and the Royal Albert Hall.

It was great to be invited back to work with the Saturday morning centre to come back to where it all began.

Contact details: music@southtyneside.gov.uk

Phillip Sheard

Job title and responsibilities

Wind Centre Conductor

I currently conduct the Junior Wind Band. The ensemble exists to allow pupils to be able to play their instruments with other pupils in a fun, supportive environment.

It is an opportunity to make friends with other musicians from across the Borough and build upon the skills learnt in school ensembles.

The ultimate aim is to gain the experience and musicianship of playing with other people (which personal practise at home cannot achieve) in order to progress into the Senior Wind Band and above.

About me

My first musical experience was singing in the Scunthorpe Co-operative Junior Choir before learning the violin in Year 4 at primary school. By Year 6, I was being taught the trumpet by Stuart Wilkinson and continue to play the trumpet regularly.

Before moving to Newcastle for University, I played in the North Lincolnshire Orchestra, Concert Band and Swing Band where I had many opportuites to go on European tours, play in the National Concert Band Festival and even record a CD.

I support the work of the National Children's Orchestra of Great Britain, working on their pastoral team on their residential courses as well as helping at their Northerlies regional rehearsals. 

Away from music, I teach Mathematics in a secondary school.

Qualifications

• BSc Hons - Mathematics and Statistics
• PGCE
• ABRSM Trumpet - Grade 8

Contact details: music@southtyneside.gov.uk

Sharon Rogers

Job title and responsibilities

Music Tutor (self employed) - Specialist Area - Tuned Percussion

About me

I play piano, clarinet and percussion. I have 25+ years experience of teaching piano from beginner to Grade 8 ABRSM standard.

I have worked alongside South Tyneside Music Service supporting percussion players in both the Junior and Senior Wind Bands.

I can also teach music theory to ABRSM Grade 5 standard.

Qualifications

• BA Hons Education
• Cert Ed
• Grade 8 piano
• ALCM (Associate of the London College of Music)

Musical experience

My musical experience of playing in ensembles originates in South Tyneside as I was a member of South Tyneside Stage Band. From there I played with South Tyneside Orchestra and other local ensembles.

I now play regularly with Bede Wind Band which has given performances at the Sage Gateshead, Newcastle City Hall and other local venues.

In the past I have also played percussion with Brass Bands.

Contact details: music@southtyneside.gov.uk

Angela Mason

Job title and responsibilities

Uke / Guitar Tutor

I teach a wide range of instruments, including the ukulele, flute, recorder, guitar and violin.

I engage children in their learning by providing inclusive and engaging lessons incorporating modern, interactive resources such as Charanga and Musical Futures - creating enjoyable and lively lessons.

My responsibilities also include preparing and entering children for graded exams with the Associated Board Royal School of Music.

About me

I am passionate about music and making music accessible to young people whatever their circumstances. I have been teaching in various educational settings for over 20 years, including in local schools and at the Sage, Gateshead.

I have played and do play in a variety of different styles and groups, including folk music, Klezmer ( Hebrew and Yiddish) and modern church music. I currently sing and play guitar, violin and flute in 2 local bands.

I occasionally play violin or sing at local weddings and other public events.

Qualifications

• Qualified Primary Teacher,  PGCE - Northumbria University
• B.A. ( 1st-class Hons)
• Grade 7/8 flute,  Grade 5 piano

Musical experience

I am a lead vocalist and guitarist in two local bands, enjoying playing and singing in a variety of languages and styles.

My musical experience covers ceilidh bands, church music groups, Jewish Klezmer and educational venues, modern pop music, as well as playing and teaching flute, guitar, ukulele, recorder, keyboard and violin.

Contact details: angela.mason@southtyneside.gov.uk

Maurice Powell

Job title and responsibilities

Pianist

Supporting singing in KS1 / KS2.

Contact details: music@southtyneside.gov.uk