Danielle Drew (left) from Aycliffe who played at the Locomotion Concert, has been a musician since she was in Year 5. She started with the recorder but when she moved to secondary school, wanted to learn something new and more complicated. She signed up to learn the saxophone and began playing when 11 and hasn’t stopped since.

Danielle said: “I began lessons with the Music Service and from there was introduced to Shaune Eland and Ian Robinson, the leaders of the Durham County Youth Big Band and the Durham South Regional Wind Band. They made everything just so fun and they, along with my saxophone teachers and music teachers at secondary school and sixth form, inspired me to continue with music throughout my education and career”.

Last July Danielle graduated with a BAHons in Music and want to be a music teacher, in schools or with the music service. “I would love to be able to inspire someone, just like the Music Service inspired me and so many others to have a passion for music.”

Kirsty Biddulph (right) lives in School Aycliffe and is a music teacher. Her father worked for the Music Service and she’s been in all the bands. She now co-directs the Darlington Jazz Festival and helps coordinate the Durham Alumni Band. Many of her students are part of the Music Service ensemble.

 

Pictured: Danielle and Kirsty with the Band Conductor Shaune Eland at the Concert held at the Locomotion Museum last week