Paul has been the principal conductor since of SCYCB since 2022 taking the position towards the end of covid with the band membership at that time down to around 25 players due to the covid restrictions. The band's reputation for excellence has grown considerably since 2022 with the band now up to full strength just shy of 60 talented young musicians.  

 

Formed in 1973, the Somerset Youth Concert Band is made up of approximately 50 of some of the most talented young musicians from across the county. With its large range of woodwind and brass instruments and exciting percussion section, this award winning band presents a diverse and challenging repertoire of original concert band music, hits from the West End shows, classical repertoire and swing.

The Band has three courses a year, at Christmas, Easter and the end of the Summer Term. The Band has visited Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, Holland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Italy, France and Venice and Tuscany. The continues to tour regularly.

Since taking up the role of Principal Conductor Paul has introduced new ideas to the rehearsals. These include focus work on warm ups physical and musical and  include other session activities that help improve the general musicianship of the young players. The pulse and rhythm activities take place every day on the course and are led by the percussion tutor after lunch. These rhythm and pulse activities are great fun and a challenge to both students and staff alike! There are now chamber music sessions each day on the course with the different sections of the band working with professional players each day in preparing a chamber piece to be performed in the main concert along side the full band repertoire.