Conductor
Our regular conductor is Adam Green, who has been with the orchestra since 2003. Adam is a Musical Director, composer and arranger in considerable demand throughout Derbyshire and South Yorkshire. He is a graduate of the University of Sheffield, holding a degree in Music and English Literature and a PGCE from the University of Nottingham. He has also studied conducting, most recently at the RNCM.
Adam has over twelve years' experience as a conductor, during which time he has worked with choral societies, orchestras, brass bands and various youth groups across the country. In addition to his private teaching commitments, he is active in promoting music for young musicians. He is a popular director and trainer for instrumental and choral workshops.
As well as being Musical Director of the Wirksworth Area Community Orchestra, Darley Dale Brass Band and the BMW Band, he is the Business Director of Chesterfield Studios, a performing arts centre promoting music, theatre and dance for all in the Chesterfield area. He regularly works with young people and has been working with the All Saints Junior School Choir since December 2008.
When time allows, Adam composes and arranges a wide range of music, including original compositions for brass band, two of which were chosen to be premiered at the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. These followed the success of his musicals, The Book of Black Magic and The Vanishing Island, commissioned for a cast of young performers by the Barclay’s New Futures Project.
Before Adam joined us we were conducted by Chris Dixon, with occasional stand-ins by Brian Heppenstall. Recently we have also worked with Jonathan Francis (for six months in 2006), Richard Laing (Wirksworth Festival Orchestral Workshops 2006, 2007 and 2008), Jonathan Trout (Orchestral Workshop 2005), and Nick Stacey and David Francis (sectionals and occasional rehearsals).
Leaders
Our current Principal Violinist (since January 2006) is Louise Maskill, who took over from Judi Haywood. Our Prinicipal Oboeist is Claire Gibson.
Committee
We have an active Committee chaired by flautist Liz Rowbottom. The Committee runs the orchestra, actively seeks funding and grants and organises concerts and events, as well as maintaining this website and producing WACO's occasional newsletter 'Hitting the High Notes' (see the Archive area for back issues).
Page updated: 4th September 2009