Nick’s musical journey with West Sussex Music began aged 7 when a woodwind teacher from the music service (then run by West Sussex County Council) came in to his primary school to give a demonstration. Inspired by what he saw and heard, Nick signed up to learn the flute and a year later also began learning the clarinet. Whilst at secondary school Nick began learning the saxophone and joined the Chichester Music Centre playing in a number of ensembles.
Nick went on to study music at Canterbury Christ Church University specialising in the flute, education and ensemble direction. Whilst at university Nick played and sung with numerous ensembles including the university’s symphony orchestra and the university chorus as well as directing the flute choir.
After graduating from Canterbury Christ Church, Nick went onto train as a secondary school music teacher with the Inspire Teaching Alliance and the University of Sussex. He undertook placements in two West Sussex secondary schools and graduating with a PGCE.
Upon completing teacher training Nick joined West Sussex Music in September 2018 as a visiting music teacher.
Nick teachers small group and individual lessons on the flute, clarinet, saxophone and recorder as well as teaching whole class lessons on clarinet, djembe, ukulele and recorder. Nick is also keen to make singing a key part of his whole class lessons allowing children to develop the instrument they take everywhere with them!
Nick loves seeing new students pick up an instrument for the first time and watch as they develop in confidence and technique on their instrument. Lessons are conducted in a fun but purposeful manner, with each child’s individual needs catered for.
As part of his work with the music centres across the county Nick founded and directs the Hi5 Band aka Horsham Elementary Wind Ensemble aimed at students who can play 5 notes or more. This allows young musicians to begin playing in an ensemble from an early stage in their learning and gives them a progression route all the way through to the acclaimed county ensembles. A highlight of Nick’s was Hi5’s first performance in December 2019, seeing the fantastic progress the group had made in just a few months. Nick is very much looking forward to Hi5 being able to perform again as restrictions ease.
Outside of work Nick enjoys singing bass in a community choir as well as leading the music at a local church on the piano.
