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Musical Director / Soprano - 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 leader 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.
Due to a career change in 2010, which means working away from the area,
Danny moved from regular conducting to soprano.
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 plays in a function band called Kaleidoscope.
Up until their final concert in December 2009, Danny was accompanist
for the Hindringham Singers, a position held for 22 years.
Away from music, Danny is a freelance Business Analyst / Change Consultant.
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