A MUSICIAN originally from Redditch will be returning to the town next week to spend an afternoon with pupils of Tardebigge First School.
Martin Woodford, a former pupil of local organist Dudley Fowkes, will be visiting the school on Tuesday with ‘Woody’s Sound Orchestra’, his community orchestra from Germany, where he now lives.
In 1977 Martin, the former lead trumpet with the James Last Orchestra, moved from Redditch to Germany and in 2000, set up a community orchestra in his new home town of Stelle near Hamburg.
Woody’s Sound Orchestra is a modern wind instrument ensemble with trumpets, trombones, saxophones, clarinets and flutes with drums, percussion, guitar, bass and keyboard. Together they play a mix of rock and pop music, swing, and oldies, but also strings and classical works too.
The aim of the orchestra is to bring children and young people closer to the music and, through financial support, to provide the opportunity for professional training.
The group of musicians tour the Worcestershire area every two years and next week they will be playing at St Bartholomew’s Church in Tardebigge where Martin used to practice together with his friend Peter Goulbourne and where they performed regular concerts in their teens.
The group will be spending the afternoon with youngsters at the school, giving them hands-on experience with the music, before giving a fundraising concert at 7pm. Admission is free, but donations are welcomed to help raise funds for the church.
