Conductor - Danny Wakefield

Danny starting playing the cornet at the age of 7 when his 2 older brothers who played in Fakenham Town Band brought an instrument home for him to try. After being shown the basics, he was pretty much self-taught until high school, where he received tuition from visiting brass tutors; Captain Pike and Robert Scott. Danny quickly progressed through the ‘grades’, achieving grade 8 at the age of 15.

Throughout this time, Danny also had the benefit of playing with Fakenham Town Band. There is no substitute for practical experience when learning to play an instrument.

In 1989, the position of Musical Director became vacant in Fakenham Town Band and strong encouragement was given for Danny to apply. Danny was duly elected as MD and has remained in this position ever since. Having a long-standing conductor is often believed to be one of the main reasons that Fakenham Town Band enjoys good stability.
Danny is very proud of the achievements made by the band in recent years, especially from the many talented young players that the band is privileged to have.

As well as being involved with brass bands, Danny is an enthusiastic keyboard player. Aged 18, he received a 3-year organ scholarship from the Diocese of Norwich. Eleven years’ of bad habits were removed and new skills and repertoire were nurtured with Kenneth Ryder at the organ in St Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich.

Danny is currently organist at St Martin’s Hindringham and St Mary’s North Creake. He also accompanies the Hindringham Singers and plays in a function band called Kaleidoscope.

© Copyright 2008 Fakenham Town Band.