Committee Members

Les Goldman – Chair

What I love most about the Two Rivers Bands are their friendly welcoming atmosphere, the positive encouraging approach of our musical directors, and everyone’s enthusiasm to improve their playing and to perform. I’m also impressed by how much money we raise for the charities we support. In Concert Band I have fun playing my bass clarinet. In Swing Band I play tenor sax (probably my favourite instrument) and clarinet if the opportunity arises.

As Band Chair my job is to ensure that our bands function as smoothly as possible and that all members feel they can have a voice in how the bands work. I want us to have plenty of opportunities to develop musically, to entertain our local community and most importantly to have a great time playing music together.

Nick Smith – Vice Chair and Acting Secretary

I have always had a love of music having started with a guitar back in the 1960s which I thought went well with my long hair! Decades passed and so did my hair but my son, daughter and Zosia (my better half) were all playing different instruments and I always knew I was missing out, so , on a whim, I walked into Woods in Bradford about 10 years ago and bought a saxophone. I began having lessons at the school where I taught and then eventually joined the band now known as the Two Rivers band. My musical tastes are eclectic so I enjoy the jazz and swing music as much as the concert band. Making music with fellow enthusiasts is now one of my most enjoyable pastimes. Rehearsals on a Thursday and Saturday morning are places of great fun and, at the same time, determination to play the music as it should be played.

David Studd – Treasurer

I started on violin at school and promptly lost it. It was embarrassing trying to explain this to my music teacher. A few years later suffering from asthma the idea of playing the flute seemed a good prospect. So at 18 I started with a Boosey and Hawkes Regent flute being taught by a wonderful Dutch teacher.

Since then I’ve progressed through several flutes, ABRSM grades and TCL diplomas.

At college I took a few piano lessons but let it slide. I am taking lessons again but left regretting the 20 years between.

However my favourite instrument is the classical guitar challenging myself to play such pieces as Canarios by Sanz. I’m getting there, gradually.

My musical tastes vary from late 60s and 70s to such as Matchbox 20, Noah’s Whale and Gretchen Peters. I consider Nat King Cole to be the greatest singer ever, and he could play the piano as well.