Wednesday 27 March 2019
The Committee for Education, Sport & Culture have appointed experienced musician Tim Wright as Head of the Guernsey Music Service.
Mr Wright read music at University of Wales College, Cardiff and at Trinity College of Music, London, where he obtained a distinction classification for his post-graduate studies in percussion and went on to be admitted as a Fellow to the college.
During busy freelance, recording and session careers in London, Tim worked on education projects for the Central St. Martins School of Art and Design, Spitalfields Festival, taught at the Bromley Youth Music Trust and at Clifton College in Bristol as well as tutoring Percussion for the National Youth Orchestra of Wales. This part of his career involved tours to China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece and Italy. It was during this time he had the first of his trips to Guernsey to play with the Guernsey Symphony Orchestra, and to advise on Percussion with the Schools' Music Service.
In 1998 he became Head of Percussion at the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra (the Sultan of Oman's private Orchestra), where he stayed for 8 years, also advising the Royal Guard of Oman and Royal Army of Oman Schools of Music.
Tim moved to Guernsey in 2007 and commenced the role of Head of Brass and Percussion for the Schools' Music Service. In post he obtained QTS and went on to obtain an MA in Education at the University of Brighton.
Deputy Richard Graham, Vice President of the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture, said:
'Tim Wright is well placed and highly qualified to build on the successful development of the Guernsey Music Service achieved under Mervyn Grand's excellent leadership. The Committee for Education, Sport and Culture has three expectations of the Service under its new leadership: maintenance of its traditional and widely-acclaimed high standards; steps to ensure that the process of further widening access to the Service is continued; and provision of advice and assistance in improving the standards of musical education in our primary schools.'
Andrew Warren, Director of Education, said:
'I am delighted that Tim will be taking over as Head of the Guernsey Music Service. His enthusiasm and commitment to the service will be a vital asset in the years ahead. I am sure that his determination to maintain the very high standard of musicianship within the Music Service as well as broadening the impact through greater inclusion, will see it continue to play a key role in cultural life in the Bailiwick.'
Tim is delighted to be appointed Head of the Guernsey Music Service. He said;
'I am privileged to be appointed Head of the Guernsey Music Service in its 40th year following the retirement of Mervyn Grand. Under Mervyn's tenure it has developed into an inclusive and accessible Service for all young people in Guernsey which plays such an important part in Island culture across many different musical genres. I am looking forward to working closely with teams responsible for the development of secondary education as well as the primary sector and independent colleges to ensure that students in Guernsey continue to have the opportunity to access the inclusive and excellent work of the Music Service.'
