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| Catherine Tyler - trumpet |
Catherine was born in Nottingham in 1961 and grew up in North Norfolk, quickly developing a passion for playing the trumpet and organ. She regularly performed in the Norwich Music Festival as a soloist, sang with The Richeldis Singers and played in brass ensembles and orchestras; performing everything from musicals to ceremonial music in cathedrals. She quickly developed the reputation of being a ‘low tide’ church organist, as every weekend she would be sailing, sometimes at European championship level, if it was high tide.
Catherine trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama for three years and gained diplomas in both trumpet and organ. She was Assistant Organist at St. Augustine’s Church, Penarth and also worked for Welsh National Opera, even if it was behind the scenes!
Following a PGCE year in Devon, Catherine began a teaching career that is now nearing the end of it’s third decade. Her first job was Head of Music in a large school in Northamptonshire, where she was also Sectional Brass Coach for the County Youth Orchestra. She then became Director of Music at King’s College, Madrid, and set up the first ABRSM exam centre in Spain. Returning to the UK in 1987, as Head of Brass and Woodwind at Blundell’s School, Tiverton; before embarking on ten years teaching internationally, in Brussels, Moscow and Strasbourg.
Catherine’s musical interests are broad. In addition to playing the trumpet with the Plymouth Symphony Orchestra, she directs many groups of musicians , including The Dartington Brass Consort; composes and arranges music; and has written and directed many theatre shows.
She has two children and is happily settled in South Devon. Apart from enjoying messing around on boats, in particular, ‘Jennive’ , a Falmouth Gypsy Mk II and being passionate about cooking, camping and travel; her time is spent teaching widely throughout the county and working as a volunteer counsellor for the NSPCC.
