An insight into the people behind the Wind Orchestra

Paul Dunderdale, Conductor

Paul grew up in Preston in Lancashire, and read Music at the University College of North Wales in Bangor.  He went on to attain a Masters of Education from Liverpool University.  Paul is married to Gill, who also plays an integral part in the orchestra's life (concert refreshments, raffles and more), and together they have two sons.  

Paul worked in arts administration and studio production for a time, and has led a very successful teaching career.    He came to the island in 1980, and for 20 years, taught Music and Music technology to A-level at Castle Rushen High School. Prior to his retirement in 2004, he taught at Ramsey Grammar School.  Paul says that he has been interested in music for as long as he can remember.  He sang in choirs from an early age, and took up clarinet at 12.  Paul's natural talent for conducting was secured at 16, when he gathered a group of friends together to form a chamber orchestra.  

Paul was the vision behind the Isle of Man Wind Orchestra, together with co-founders Henry Teare and Chris Weldon back in 1998, which was celebrated at our 10th anniversary concert last year.   To add to his many achievements, Paul is the Musical Director of Onchan Silver Band, and he also composes successfully.   Mannanan, (a suite for wind-band based on Manx folk tunes) is presently being published, not to mention his extensive writing for theatre productions and the Isle of Man's "Our Town" feature, which he wrote for the Millennium Dome.

Paul is passionate about music and musicians and he devotes a considerable amount of his personal time to the orchestra in all its aspects.  He is committed to extending our repertoire and pushing our musical capabilities.  He steers the committee, working alongside the members in all their many and diverse activities, (too many to mention here) and always makes time for every individual member of the orchestra.  With his very relaxed and friendly approach, he is an inspiration to all of us.

Paul's musical interests are broad and include Art music, Folk music, Blues and Rock, and Brass Band music.  In his spare time he enjoys reading, hill walking, cooking, Moto Guzzis, and photography.  

 

Joanna Drysdale, Chairperson

Joanna grew up in Glasgow, where she played flute in the Strathclyde Schools Symphony Orchestra, Lanarkshire Wind Orchestra and Motherwell Symphonic Band.  She regularly performed at the National Concert Band Festival (NCBF) and in 2001 was conducted by Frank Battisti, the famous American Conductor at the Royal Northern College of Music.  Joanna knows almost everything there is to know about the flute, and also plays the piccolo and piano.   Shortly after moving to the Isle of Man in 2003, she joined the Isle of Man Wind Orchestra and in early 2007 was recognised as an ideal person to take on the role of Chair.  Joanna works tirelessly for the orchestra.  She is always wherever she needs to be, armed with facts, figures and useful advice.  She plays an integral part in the orchestra's life, helping to select the orchestra's music; arranging visiting conductors for workshops; publicity (you may have heard her recently on the radio); concert preparation, and also organising social events for the orchestra members.  Joanna works in Insurance and in her spare time, she enjoys reading, walking her dog and cooking.  Visit Jo at her own website: www.bletherin-skite.co.uk.  She can be contacted via email: joannadrysdale@hotmail.com

 

Angela Kay, Concert Committee & Player Representative

 

Angela was born on the Isle of Man and joined the orchestra in 1997.  She teaches at Onchan Primary School and is due to get married in May this year.  Angela plays the flute and also loves to sing.  She transformed herself into Judith Durham to perform Georgy Girl by the Seekers in the 2006 Manx Stars In Their Eyes.  She performs in lots of shows and musicals and is a member of the Douglas Choral Union.  Angela runs her school choir and brought them along to the orchestra’s last big concert, which was a great success.  This year the choir will be performing Children in Song 2008 with 14 other schools.  

 

Dom Millard, Librarian

Dom moved from London to the island after University in '95, and brought over a bicycle and a tropical aquarium!  He joined the orchestra in 2000 and he took over the role of Librarian in 2002 following the Czech Republic Tour.  Dom is extremely organised.  He stores and catalogues all of the orchestra's music, and oversees the distribution of all parts - no mean feat!  Dom regularly plays flute and percussion in the orchestra.  He works as a software developer, and in his spare time, plays bass for the Blue Train Big Band and Retrospect.  He has occasionally played piano/keyboards for the Manx Operatic Society.  

 

Freya Garry, Concert Committee and Player Representative

Freya was born in Kendal but has been living on the Isle of Man since she was 6.  She joined the orchestra in 2003 and since taking up her post on the committee, has been working hard for the orchestra.  Last year she successfully updated the orchestra wardrobe, (new concert outfits for all members) and was also a key contact for the Arts Council when the orchestra participated in the Peel Bay Festival events.  

 

Freya is grade 8 on both oboe and piano.  She originally played in the Manx Youth Orchestra and Manx Youth Swing Band.   Currently she plays oboe for the Isle of Man Wind Orchestra, and percussion from time to time with Onchan Silver Band. Her hobbies include theatre, music, reading and walking- and most recently, keeping fit!

 

Jem Cotton, Webmaster and Player Representative

Jem is a recent addition to the band’s line-up, having moved to the island early last year.  Along with his son Ben, Jem started playing the Saxophone a little over two years ago but, not being one to let convention (or lack of ability) stand in his way, has joined the committee as a player representative and has taken on maintenance of the orchestra’s web-site.

In his spare time, Jem works for a global managed services company, where his primary role appears to be collecting air miles.  When he’s not travelling, Jem is prone to hiding away in his coastal retreat, pretending to be semi-retired.

Having far too much time on his hands, Jem also runs the Manx Saxophone Ensemble, skis, plays piano, and finds opportunities to scare himself on a variety of motorcycles.  Ask him about his hobbies only if you’ve plenty of time ...

 

Tracy Milligan, Player Representative

Born in London, Tracy moved to the Isle of Man with her husband in 2003.   She joined the orchestra in early 2005 and is a new member of the committee. Tracy studied flute from the age of 11 at the Blackheath Conservatoire of Music in London, where she also belonged to a chamber music ensemble. Her teacher was a friend of Gareth Morris, the eminent flute soloist, whom Tracy met.  Tracy studied French at universities in both the UK and France. She took up several bilingual positions, prior to moving into IT, and she currently assists a local charity. Tracy is presently preparing her flute diploma. In her spare time, she enjoys holidays in France, anything linguistic, arts & crafts, and walking her pug dog.

 

Henry Teare, Treasurer

Henry was born on the Isle of Man, and comes from a long line of farmers.  After a very successful teaching career at Castle Rushen High School (32 years), he now runs the family farm with his wife Karen from their home in Sulby.  

Henry is an extremely important member of the orchestra being a founder member with our conductor, Paul Dunderdale.  He took on the role of treasurer from the outset and looks after every aspect of the orchestra's accounts, including member subscriptions; funding from sponsors; concert funds and more.  One of his biggest jobs is counting the collections from Christmas carolling, which he organises on his kitchen table!  Henry's family also help out with orchestra life.  His wife, Karen, regularly assists with concert refreshments, raffles and the orchestra's summer barbeque held at their farm.   Their two grown up children have both played with the orchestra.  

Henry is a brass player, and plays trombone in the orchestra.  He is also a member of the Blue Train Big Band.  He holds a Microlight pilots licence (last 14 years) and is also a keen skier.  His son Phil runs his own ski chalet business www.thechaletexperience.com, and Henry and his wife Karen are both involved in the running of this.  Henry has also done quite a lot of work constructing new farm buildings and is currently working on building an extension to the family farmhouse.

 

Ben Dunlop, Concert Manager

Ben looks after the practical, logistical side of our concerts and took up the post of Concert Manager in 2002.

His key attributes include safely transporting all of the band’s instruments, especially the large percussion items (timpani, drum-kit, percussion stands and so much more…) around the island in time for our concerts in his huge van, and preparing the concert venue for the audience.

Ben joined the orchestra in 1998, and plays Eb Bass, Euphonium and Trombone.  Outside of the orchestra, Ben is an IT Manager and particularly enjoys mountain biking.