Angie Shepherd began playing with Cheltenham Silver Band when she was eight. Encouraged by her Uncle, who had played tuba in the band since the 60’s, she chose to play Euphonium. However, being a little on the short side, she started on Baritone, progressing to Euph when she was taller!
After a long spell with CSB, Angie spread her wings. After a 6 month signing for Langley Band she joined Lydbrook Band, enjoying 6 years in the 1st and Championship sections. Angie then returned to CSB initially playing, but soon taking up the baton as MD. She also became involved in the training band, encouraging young players to take part in music festivals and solo competitions with some considerable success.
Since then Angie has had links with a number of other bands including Tewkesbury, Gloucester Excelsior, Lydney and Cinderford. She has continued to conduct and play, expanding her skills to join the percussion section of Lydbrook band playing Timpani at the Area Contest at Torquay.
Angie has received tuition from many excellent musicians, including Lyndon Baglin, Dennis Masters, Robert Childs, Steve Sykes and Nigel Seaman but she has had limited formal training in conducting. However, she does feel that playing in bands led by world class conductors has given her practical experience and understanding of how to bring out the best from players of all abilities.
With her early links to CSB, and memories of her Uncle’s passion for keeping the band alive through difficult periods, Angie feels a close association and love for the band. She has a powerful and almost obsessive passion for music and its metamorphic ability to represent differing emotions, to influence mood, to tell wordless stories and to touch and bring together different cultures and ages.
‘Music is a powerful tool, but it is also a beautiful art form. It can focus the mind and be a source of strength and entertainment, but at the same time it can be an outlet for feelings and a diversion from daily life….when a musician really gets inside a piece of music you witness a performance that is completely different from that of a person who is just playing the notes on the page – the musician who takes time to interpret the music and give it colour and tone is putting something of themselves into the music – they personalise it and bring it to life.’
After a long spell with CSB, Angie spread her wings. After a 6 month signing for Langley Band she joined Lydbrook Band, enjoying 6 years in the 1st and Championship sections. Angie then returned to CSB initially playing, but soon taking up the baton as MD. She also became involved in the training band, encouraging young players to take part in music festivals and solo competitions with some considerable success.
Since then Angie has had links with a number of other bands including Tewkesbury, Gloucester Excelsior, Lydney and Cinderford. She has continued to conduct and play, expanding her skills to join the percussion section of Lydbrook band playing Timpani at the Area Contest at Torquay.
Angie has received tuition from many excellent musicians, including Lyndon Baglin, Dennis Masters, Robert Childs, Steve Sykes and Nigel Seaman but she has had limited formal training in conducting. However, she does feel that playing in bands led by world class conductors has given her practical experience and understanding of how to bring out the best from players of all abilities.
With her early links to CSB, and memories of her Uncle’s passion for keeping the band alive through difficult periods, Angie feels a close association and love for the band. She has a powerful and almost obsessive passion for music and its metamorphic ability to represent differing emotions, to influence mood, to tell wordless stories and to touch and bring together different cultures and ages.
‘Music is a powerful tool, but it is also a beautiful art form. It can focus the mind and be a source of strength and entertainment, but at the same time it can be an outlet for feelings and a diversion from daily life….when a musician really gets inside a piece of music you witness a performance that is completely different from that of a person who is just playing the notes on the page – the musician who takes time to interpret the music and give it colour and tone is putting something of themselves into the music – they personalise it and bring it to life.’
