MUSICAL DIRECTOR

Mr George Sandford

George is a brass teacher and freelance musician from Northern Ireland. Based in Belfast, he works for the Ulster Orchestra’s “Crescendo Project” as well as working as a trumpet teacher and conductor in schools throughout the country, both privately and for the Education Authority. In addition to these positions, he is also the upper brass tutor at the Ulster College of Music.

Prior to moving to Belfast, George worked for the Berkshire Music Hub as well as holding positions as a specialist trumpet teacher and ensemble coach for some of the top private and independent schools in the UK, including Cheltenham College and Queen Anne's School. George also works regularly as a guest speaker with various music services and universities, delivering lectures and training on subjects such as entrepreneurship, ensemble building and whole-class brass teaching. During his time in England, George maintained a busy freelance performing schedule and was also a regular guest player with a number of top brass bands including the Fairey Band and Wantage.

George holds an undergraduate music degree from the University of Manchester (studying trumpet with Jamie Prophet) and a masters degree in trumpet performance from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire where he studied with Alan Thomas and Andrew Stone-Fewings. Further to this he has also spent time studying conducting with Mark Heron at the Royal Northern College of Music. .