Wind & Brass | The Glasshouse

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Wind & Brass Programme

The Centre for Advanced Training offers tuition in all woodwind and brass instruments from a team of tutors which includes members of Royal Northern Sinfonia.

In addition to individual instrumental lessons and music language classes, all wind and brass students rehearse weekly in small ensembles from duos to quintets. For those students who have an interest in Jazz there is an opportunity to link up with the jazz ensemble JBCATS run by James Birkett (Study Leader for Popular and Contemporary).

Wind and brass players of the appropriate standard can apply for one of our Ensembles. We encourage students to take up a second study and are happy to discuss available options.

In addition to regular lessons, students benefit from masterclasses and workshops by members of Royal Northern Sinfonia (RNS) and also by visiting professional artists. In recent years these have included classes given by Jess Gillam (International Saxophonist); Juliet Bausor (International Flautist and principal flautist of London Philharmonic Orchestra); Katherine Bryan (Principal Flute with Royal Scottish National Orchestra); Horacio Ferreira (International Clarinettist); Dionysis Grammenos (International Clarinettist); Peter Moore (Principal Trombone LSO); Roger Webster (Cornettist and psychologist)

Key Information

Wind and Brass Team

Study Leader: Marion Craig

Brian Stewart (Flute)

Dov Goldberg (Clarinet & Saxophone)

Andy Jakob (Bassoon & Saxophone)

Marion Craig (Brass)

Laura Davison (Brass)

‘The Glasshouse Centre for Advanced Training is an exceptional facility. The engaging and enthusiastic young people were a joy to work with, and the facilities available to them are fantastic.’

Katherine Bryan, Principal Flute with RSNO

Information for Students

Timetables, auditions, and other useful information for current and prospective CAT students to help make the most of your learning experience.

More info

Wind and Brass Team

Study Leader: Marion Craig (Trumpet)

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Marion began her musical career playing the cornet in brass bands at nine years old. She studied trumpet at Guildhall School of Music and Drama and then freelanced in and around London. Before becoming a full time member of Royal Northern Sinfonia, Marion was the Young Sinfonia administrator and also ran a company which specialised in taking groups of musicians into schools to give demonstration concerts and workshops. Working with Royal Northern Sinfonia has been and is an incredible job, working with outstanding musicians, visiting soloists and conductors, adding to that the role of Study Leader for Wind and Brass.

Laura Davison (Brass)

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Laura graduated from Newcastle University in 2013 with a degree in music before gaining a masters degree majoring in trombone performance on period and modern instruments. Since graduating, Laura has begun a career as a freelance trombonist and peripatetic brass tutor and is in demand for ensemble playing and solo recitals. She can regularly be seen performing with a number of ensembles throughout the North East of England and recently took part and performed in the BBC’s Music Day Hadrian’s Wall of Sound. Laura also performs in a variety of shows across the North East.

Annie Francomb (Clarinet)

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Annie studied clarinet at The Royal Academy of Music. She has taught at the Centre for Advanced Training from its inception and also teaches at many schools throughout the region and privately. She also works as part of the In Harmony Newcastle Gateshead programme.

Annie has been teaching for over 30 years and also teaches saxophone. She teaches all levels and ages.

Eilidh Gillespie (Flute)

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Eilidh was a member of the flute section of Royal Northern Sinfonia from 2013-2019. She previously held a position with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales (2011- 2013) and was Principal Flute of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta from 2004-2008. In addition to her work at The Glasshouse, Eilidh plays a lot of chamber music and works as guest principal flute with orchestras such as the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Opera North and Birmingham Royal Ballet. She has also worked frequently with the London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. Eilidh gained a 1st class honours degree from Edinburgh University before completing postgraduate studies at the Royal College of Music, London.

Dov Goldberg (Clarinet)

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Dov studied at the Purcell School of Music and Royal Northern College of music. He was a member of Royal Northern Sinfonia for almost ten years and has since played principal clarinet with most of the country’s orchestras. On saxophone Dov has broadcast with British Sinfonia, Royal Northern Sinfonia, BBC Philharmonic and Psappha – the contemporary music ensemble, of whom he is a member. He founded the Balkan band “Horovod” with four friends specialising in Eastern European folk music. He has lectured and tutored at Durham, Leeds, Newcastle and Manchester Universities and given masterclasses in Australia, China, Venezuela and the USA.

Andy Jakob (Bassoon and Saxophone)

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Andy studied bassoon at the Royal College of Music and has a degree in Humanities from the Open University. He is an experienced orchestral bassoonist and teacher who has diversified to playing and teaching on all woodwind instruments. As a player, he is now often found playing in freelance orchestras and theatre pit-bands.

As a published composer he has written many pieces for ensembles at The Glasshouse. During the week, he is a full time woodwind teacher for Durham Music Service where he co-runs a small wind band in Bishop Auckland and coaches the Durham Music Service County Youth Orchestra. Like many musicians, he is a keen hill walker and is Chairman of the Aycliffe Fell Walking Club. He enjoys an occasional game of golf but his friends say he swings better with a saxophone!

Brian Stewart (Flute)
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Brian studied flute at the Royal College of Music before joining the Ensemble of the Lewis London Ballet with which he toured the UK. In addition to this Brian performed in various chamber ensembles, including a flute and guitar duo and an ensemble specialising in twentieth century repertoire. Following his return to the North Brian has become established as a respected performer and teacher. He teaches at Durham University and Newcastle University and several of his students have gone on to study at music college.