Meet the MD

John Watts

John began his brass-playing journey on the tenor horn followed by euphonium before eventually settling on the tuba aged 16.

He studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff where he performed with the top college ensembles and orchestras. During his time there he won the Linda Mowat Brass Prize, an award from the Wolfson Foundation and a coveted place on the BBC National Orchestra of Wales placement scheme. Since graduating in 2003 John went on to gain a Licentiate from the Royal Schools of Music with Distinction.

John has a great passion for music education and teaches all brass instruments to students across a range of ages and abilities across Berkshire and the surrounding areas. He teaches for Berkshire Music Trust and in several independent schools.

John has had students in the National Youth Orchestra and National Children’s Orchestra and has also successfully prepared students for entry to conservatoire and junior music colleges.

As well as being the Musical Director of the St Sebastian Wokingham Band he conducts a number of senior youth bands in the area and has deputised with Pangbourne Brass Band, Trinity Concert Band and South Berks Concert Band amongst others. In 2014 John co-wrote a Foundation in Brass Teaching course which was delivered over a fortnight to some experienced brass players in Uganda on behalf of the charity Brass for Africa.

John says ‘St Sebastian Wokingham Band are a tremendous group of musicians to work with. They have a great attitude and work hard, but they approach this with a great spirit and camaraderie. This versatile band will turn their hand to anything, from Beyonce to Berlioz!’