Biography: Paul Hughes

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Paul is currently a full time peripatetic teacher for Staffordshire Performing Arts and teaches all ranges and levels of brass instruments. He qualified to be a teacher in July 2007 after completing his post-graduate PGCE degree at the RNCM in Manchester as a brass instrumental specialist.

Before he settled down into a teaching job, Paul studied the Tuba at the RNCM in Manchester where he was under the instructions of James Gourlay, Brian Kingsley, Roger Bobo, and Mel Culbertson. Paul began to play the tuba 16 years ago at the age of 7 playing in many local groups and ensembles including the Sandwell Youth Orchestra, Brass band and Wind Orchestra. During this time Paul was also the principal tuba in The National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain, a position that he held for two years.

During his time at the RNCM, Paul has been a member of the RNCM Symphony Orchestra, Brass Ensemble, New Ensemble and Brass Band. He is also a member of a tuba quartet called ‘Tuba4te’ who recently won the Phillip Jones Brass Ensemble competition at the RNCM in 2006.

Along with his main teaching commitment, Paul also teaches pupils privately around the West Midlands and Manchester areas. He also works as a freelance Tuba player, performing with many Choral Societies, amateur orchestras and small ensembles in the country. From playing with this fine ensembles, Paul has experienced performing in many of the UK’s prestigious concert halls in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and York.

In his spare time, Paul is a keen brass band player, and at the moment is the professional Tuba player at the Staffordshire Brass Band, playing in many concerts and contests. The most notable contest was the Brass Band Nationals held at the Albert Hall in London, where he played principle Eb Bass. Before relocating to Birmingham, Paul enjoyed a spell with the world famous brass band, Fodens. He was also the principal Eb bass at BT band, where he regularly performed solos with the band. Before BT, Paul also played for Sellers and Woolley Prichard Sovereign Brass Band.