In 1989 I crossed the bridge from state school to independent education and became Director of Music of The Downs School, Colwall, Worcestershire. It was hard work but I had wonderful time building a department of visiting music teachers, orchestras, big bands and brave, skilled musicians. To view the gallery of The Downs School music groups, click HERE.

The Head at the time, Andrew Auster, had a concert programme that included musicians like Richard Stilgoe, John Lill, The Fairer Sax and the London Sinfonietta. As Colwall was on the main line to Paddington, there was often BBC news people in the audience and the BBC used the hall for recording concerts. Having come from Leysland, I had the script for ‘Great Scott - It’s Joplin!’ so put that on one year. For photos of the show please click HERE.

In the early 1992, Andrew (the Head) brought a group of Russian orphans from St. Petersburg to Wells House School in Great Malvern and asked me to train them as a choir. Richard Stilgoe wrote a musical for them, ‘Brilliant the Dinosaur’ and I was the pianist. We played on Blue Peter and then at Symphony Hall for the premiere - incredible. In 1996 the Downs School Senior Choir, Big band and soloists headed off to Evian on a twinning mission to unite the towns of Evian with Colwall (Malvern Water was bottled just opposite The Downs.) We played for two schools and also for the mayor of Evian in his palace by the lake, once owned by the Lumiere brothers (the palace, not the lake.) To view the gallery of Evian photos, please click HERE or on the group of students in home clothes !!!

I mustn’t forget to tell you about the day we played in a concert at Wrekin College and it involved Dire Straits and the son of an Olympic Skating judge!! For more info click HERE.

In 1994 I became the Director (and arranger and conductor) of The Downs Community Choir, 50-strong and double SATB. For more info on the Downs Choir, click HERE or on the concert photo with me in a white tuxedo waving my arms around!!