Profiles of Orchestra Members
Alex Pope - Music Director and Conductor
Alex Pope is recognised in the UK as an energetic and renowned musician and projects co-ordinator. He is often in demand as an accomplished percussionist and can ofen be found organising new ventures and promoting the Arts of percussion within the UK.
Currently the Percussion Co-ordinator and a peripatetic percussion tutor for Southampton Music Services, Alex's roles include the position of Co-Director of the Southampton Youth Wind Band and Director/Founder of the Supersonic Percussion Ensemble. Alex has recently spent time teaching percussion for the Berkshire Maestros Music Service.
Having originally studied Percussion under professional percussionists such as Ron Armstrong, Jan Faulkner and UK's leading percussionist Simone Rebello, Alex has also workied extensively in Musical Theatre , both locally and in the West End having played percussion at the London Palladium in 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' starring Michael Ball and Paul O'Grady. In 2011, Alex was invited as Guest Musical Director for the Award winning Centerstage Productions Youth Theatre production of the 'Wizard of Oz.' Alex's previous appointments have included Orchestral and Concert Director of the Charity Symphony Orchestra, and Principle Percussionist and an Orchestrator of the renowned 'Pops Incorporated UK'.
In January 2011, Alex founded the 'Showcase Performance Group' (SPG). A new and highly innovative company, SPG is the HQ for all Showcase Activity and you can find out all about this companies (including the Showcase Percussion Associaiton) current free performance opportunities for youngsters and future plans on their website (please refer to our 'links page).
Alex has recently been adopted by Carnival UK and will be embarking on a series of entertainment spots on some of the Worlds most luxery Cruise liners. Alex is also excited to be working with Marchwood Orchestra as their new Music Director and Conductor.
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Tony Kitcherside Reserve Conductor for Marchwood Orchestra
Tony has spent a lifetime being involved with music. From his early days as a chorister through to the present day he has gained considerable experience working with bands and orchestras as a French hornist, composer, arranger and keyboard player. After twenty-four years in the army he completed his degree in music at the Welsh College of Music and Drama and after a post-grad at Reading University he taught music for Hampshire County Council. As well as conducting Marchwood orchestra, Tony also finds time for composing and arranging, as well as being organist for Christ Church Colbury and musical director for Lymington town band.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------John Bell, Music Director and Conductor for Prelude
John studied the clarinet at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. He played the drums in London with various rock and country and western bands. Working with youngsters in a London education priority area inspired him to train and become a teacher.
He trained in Southampton. He worked his way through the teaching profession to become a Head Teacher. He continued as a Head Teacher for fourteen years in two different schools. He is always encouraging youngsters to engage in music, three of whom went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music.
John was invited to join Ofsted, but his interest in music persuaded him to join The Southampton Music Services instead to become Assistant Director of Music for Southampton, specialising in inclusive music education. He worked with Trinity/Guildhall/Open University to develope inclusive music education throughout the country and became a national mentor trainer. He gave a key note lecture at the Purcell Rooms in 2007 on Inclusive Music Education. His work cited by the the Royal Society of Arts as Southampton Music Services was named the best in the United Kingdom. John formed the Southampton Rock Academy and his students were chosen to perform in the 2007 Pupils Proms at The Royal Albert Hall.
He became a part time teaching fellow at Southampton University in 2008 working with and supporting PGCE music students.
John is now working with permanently excluded youngsters in Southampton, developing intergenerational education and as a PhD research student at Southampton University. He was co-organiser of the recent, successful concert for intergenerational awareness at Southampton's Central Hall.
John has always enjoyed being a working musician. He was the drummer with the Real Ale and Thunder Band. He is currently with the Chris Walker Band and the Roberts/D'Inverno modern jazz ensemble who have forthcoming gigs at the Albert Hall and The Turner Simms Concert Hall.
John has not given up teaching altogether. He now gives lessons on various instruments not only to Marchwood Orchestra members but also to students in schools. John is a man who gives his life to music. We are lucky to have him as part of our orchestra. John is a great supporter of Marchwood Orchestra and really enjoys work with Marchwood Prelude. He has encouraged those of us who played instruments at school to get them out of the cupboard and start playing again. He is proud to be part of everything the orchestra achieves in terms of music and pure enjoyment.