People in the GCDYO

Chief Officers

Leo Solomon, Chairman of the Youth Orchestra

Leo Solomon has been playing the piano since he was eight, although his serious interest in jazz began seven years later when he became a bandleader for the first time. His early training in classical music laid the secure foundation upon which he built a wide variety of musical activities. He plays all keyboard-type instruments and has a working knowledge of double bass, drums and trumpet. He arranges, conducts and lectures, as well as occasionally composing. He gained his Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and teaching diplomas at Sheffield University and, after leaving University, became an Associate of the Royal College of Music. He was musical director of the University Rag Show, performed scores of times in his role as pianist/entertainer, and has continued to combine the careers of educator and musician.

His work with young people has extended over a lifetime, and he is still heavily involved with this particular kind of music-making. He is Chairman of the Grimsby, Cleethorpes and District Youth Orchestra, musical director of the GCDYO Swing Bands, and is involved with many local organisations in a variety of fields other than music.

He is well known among musicians as an international soloist and accompanist. He has accompanied many of the world's greatest exponents of jazz music. Of international repute are Peanuts Hucko (ex-Glenn Miller), Harry 'Sweets' Edison (ex-Count Basie), Peter Appleyard (ex-Benny Goodman), Jimmy Witherspoon, Sonny Stitt, Bud Freeman, Barney Kessel and Wild Bill Davidson.

Among British musicians he has played with are Kenny Baker, Humphrey Lyttelton, Don Lusher, George Melly, Tommy Whittle, Bill le Sage, Dave Shepherd and Roy Williams. He has also worked with many famous cabaret stars including Michael Bentine, Elaine Delmar, Tommy Trinder, Terry Scott and Hugh Lloyd, Diana Dors and many more.

Sue Parr, Secretary

Sue joined the orchestra as a young bassoon player a 'few' years ago as a teenager. She married David and had two daughters who were very involved in the GCDYO. Sue has taken on just about every role within the orchestra, and without her selfless involvement, the orchestra would have struggled to exist. Sue has been the musical director to 3 sections of wind band, a string group administrator, librarian, social sectary, and concert organiser all at the same time. Her main job though is the secretary of the Main Committee and she is the main contact with the orchestra. You can mail her at sue.parr@gcdyo.org.uk Sue has 'retired' from full time teaching and works as a freelance music teacher.

Trevor Knowles, Treasurer

Trevor Knowles has been a senior patron for many years and has now retired from Grimsby Evening Telegraph, where he was Managing Director. We are delighted he has joined us as a Chief Officer, as apart from his considerable accountancy skills he is a pleasure to associate with, being 'one of Nature's gentlemen'.

Chris Johnson, Principal Music Director

Chris Johnson has been a conductor of intermediate and senior sections in the GCDYO for 20 years. He is the Education Development Officer for Music in N E Lincs. Before that he taught performing arts in local secondary schools for 28 years.

His music education started at Birmingham School of Music where he studied violin under Nicholas Roth who was Leader of the Budapest Trio. There he became Leader of the School of Music Symphony, Chamber and String Orchestras. Since then he has gained first and higher degrees at Nottingham and Hull Universities respectively.

Chris has two sons, both of whom were violinists in the GCDYO. Tim, who is now a public relations consultant in Banbury, and Nick, who is a student nurse at Hull University. His wife Pam teaches at St Martins school. His hobbies include music, the theatre and caravanning.

Pat Goose, Webmaster

Pat Goose, the webmaster - and at one time editor of the Newsletter Opus, Chair of the Parents and Friends Committee and administrator to various sections and party organiser. Pat joined the orchestra support team as the mother of 4 boys who played in the orchestra. They have since flown the nest and Pat is less involved in the everyday running of the orchestra. Pat has a degree in chemical engineering from Leeds University and trained as a science teacher, converted to an IT teacher, and now works as an IT analyst for the local authority.

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Committees

All the people involved in the GCDYO generously give their time freely to aid the musical and social education of the young people of N.E. Lincolnshire.

Main Committee: Leo Solomon, Chairman

• Vice Chairman - David Richardson-Eames
• Secretary - Sue Parr
• Treasurer - Trevor Knowles
• Principal Music Director - Chris Johnson
• PFC Representative - Lesley Hewitson
• Librarian - Sue Parr, assisted by Gill MacTaggart & Heather Pickwell.
• Archivist - Vacant
• Newsletter (Opus) Editor - Jaquie Brown
• Webmaster - Pat Goose
• Patrons Secretary - Shirley Campbell
• Parents and Friends Committee members
• Members Committee representative
• Section Administrators

  The Section Administrators aid the musical directors in the rehearsals, dealing with the players rather than the music. The list of administrators is given on the rehearsals page.

• Director of Educational Visits - Vacant
• Publicity Officer - Vacant
• Rehearsal Accommodation Registrar - Geoff Davis
• Concert Manager - Vacant
• Assistant Concert Managers - Vic Cook
• Keeper of the Instruments - Jane Fox
• Members Co-ordinator - Leo Solomon
• Music Lincs rep - Vacant
• Music Directors
  • Senior Symphony - Chris Johnson
  • Senior Strings - Chris Johnson
  • Senior Wind - Sue Parr
  • Training Strings - Harold Thompson
  • Training Wind - Kay Snape
  • Music Club Strings - John Simons
  • Music Club Wind - Sue Parr
  • Swing Band 1 - Leo Solomon
  • Swing Band 2 - Alex Frost

Parents and Friends Committee: Stephanie Daniels, Chairman

The Parents and Friends Committee meets before concerts to discuss practical ways to support the orchestra. This help may be in the form of money or manpower.

Much of the money raised goes towards subsidising educational visits. The PFC has also provided strong music folders for each section, and many other items not paid for out of subscriptions. The money is raised organising Soireés, raffles, the 100 club, and much more.

The PFC also helps with catering at various functions, providing extra adults for supervision when needed. The current postholders are:

• Chairman - Stephanie Daniels
• Vice Chairman - vacant
• Treasurer - Pat Murgatroyd
• Assistant Treasurer - Allison Queen
• Secretary - Lesley Hewitson
• New Members co-ordinator - Lesley Hewitson
• Raffle co-ordinator - Lesley Hewitson
• Catering co-ordinator - Joanna Palmer
• 100 Club co-ordinator - Pat Murgatroyd

There is always a shortage of people to help with the important work done by the Parents and Friends committee. If you feel you could help, or would like more information, please fill in the form on the feedback page.

Members Committee: Leo Solomon, Senior Chairman

The symphony orchestra leader is in the members committee, along with representatives from senior sections. The committee arranges social functions for the players and makes recommendations to the main committee.