Musical Director
John Hitchens was born in Cornwall, and began playing the euphonium at the age of 8 with the Camborne Junior Band. He became Principal Euphonium with Camborne Town Band in 1984, a position he held for sixteen years. A former pupil of the late Albert Chappell, John has won numerous solo awards over the years, including winning the Soloist prize at Yeovil Entertainment Contest on two separate occasions.
As a soloist, John has built an enviable reputation, and in 1994 he was awarded the prestigious title Euphonium Champion of Great Britain, a title that he went on to regain in 1998. He is in constant demand as a soloist and has performed in many concerts throughout the Country as well as in France, Germany, Holland and Switzerland. In 1998 John performed as a soloist in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London in a concert hosted by Donald Sinden to an invited audience that included Joan Plowright, Maureen Lipman and Sir Andrew Davis. The following year he was invited to perform at two similar gala concerts; one held in the famous Leeds Town Hall, and the other in Inverness.
In November 2002, John was appointed Musical Director
of Helston Town Band and made an immediate impact with his drive
and enthusiasm. After leading the band to its promotion to the First
Section, he then went on to lead the band to its best result in
its history, when they became West of England First Section Champions
in 2006. They went on to repeat this feat in 2008, and were promoted
to the Championship Section from 1st January 2009.
In addition to achieving contest success, since taking up the
baton with Helston Town Band, John has emphasised the values of
professionalism and innovation throughout the entire organisation.
He has been the driving force behind the band's shift towards an
increasingly high-profile concert schedule, and was responsible
for the idea of Proms in the Park, now a highly successful annual
event in Helston. John's innovative and entertaining musical programmes
have gained him high regard as a conductor throughout the county.
|
|
