Whittlesey Wind Ensemble has developed a diverse repertoire to appeal to all age groups and has a reputation for a high standard of performance. The music is light - mainly themes from films and shows with the occasional popular classic and military march. The group is the first high quality ensemble to be based in Whittlesey allowing local musicians the chance to pursue their musical interest close to home. The group performs around four concerts each year. Just as we welcome young people in the band, we also welcome families and young people, and their friends in our audience.
Whittlesey Wind Ensemble are available to play light music for dinners, receptions and festivals. Please email us at whittleseywind@gmail.com for any enquires.
About us
Whittlesey Wind Ensemble was launched in September 2012 by conductor and musician Barry Strickle with the aim to establish a quality community wind ensemble in Whittlesey and Peterborough area. In June 2014 Barry Strickle retired and the ensemble welcomed Colin Radford as their new Conductor.
Whittlesey Wind Ensemble is completely independent and is run by its members and committee. The Ensemble meets every Thursday evening from 7.45 – 9.15 pm at the Methodist Reformed Church, Whittlesey. The ensemble is geared towards musicians who are at least grade 4 standard and is composed of musicians of all ages and backgrounds including school students, business professionals and local music teachers.
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Colin Radford - Musical Director
Colin Radford LRSM BA Hons was appointment Musical Director of Whittlesey Wind Ensemble in September 2014. Originally from Wellingborough, Colin played clarinet with the Kettering Symphony Orchestra as well as several classic and be-bop jazz groups in England and Europe during his teenage years.
At 18 Colin joined the Grenadier Guards Band, a military band which is based in London. Whilst in the service Colin also performed clarinet solos for the BBC and international radio and television as well as receiving clarinet recital acclaim. In addition, Colin worked with several London orchestras and did some session work during this time.
After leaving London for Cambridgeshire in 2000, Colin gained a degree in music followed by teacher training course for secondary education. Recently Colin has been writing music for wood-wind and some of his music is included in the Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music examination lists for clarinet at grade 1 and 5, taken from the Emerson
publication '21st Century Clarinet Studies'. Colin has one daughter, aged 18.