Artistic Advisor - Gordon McGowan
Learning to play
the trombone at a very early age, and following studies in his
native London, Gordon McGowan performed in some of England’s finest
bands and orchestras.
In 1957 he came to Canada as principal trombonist with the Royal Canadian Artillery Band, the Halifax Symphony and CBC Orchestras, and Head of the Brass Department at the Maritime Conservatory of Music, also conducting its highly acclaimed Brass Choir.
He then spent
sixteen years with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as Producer
and then Executive Producer of Music and Arts Programming, meanwhile
travelling widely as an adjudicator, and directing some of the
leading church and secular choirs in Halifax.
Gordon McGowan built the Chester Brass Band into an ensemble of international acclaim, and for six years was a member of the faculty of the Music Department at Mount Allison University, followed by a term as Director of the Maritime Conservatory of Music.
Having personally
enjoyed the marvels of the ‘Mozart effect’, he now revels in passing
on that wealth of experience through the ‘Musical Muse’.
BFD Band Director Wendell Eisener said he’s thrilled that Mr.
McGowan -- his first brass teacher, and
a friend of 25 years -- will offer his exemplary ability in helping his 40-member
band raise the musical bar in preparation for the Yorkshire Band’s
visit here August 5 to 12 of this year and for the return trip to
England in August of 2011.
Gordon and his wife Sharyn are now back in the the Music Business with a teaching and performing programme. Information on this program can be found here.