NSCB Committee

The committee is made up of volunteers from the band and its supporters who are elected to run, develop and maintain the Newark and Sherwood Concert Band organisation in line with the band's constitution.

Richard Williams

Chair

I’ve spent nearly 40 years in the world of banking and for the last 15 years have been a property director with a major bank. I did actually start work in Newark and whilst over the years I have worked in various roles across the Midlands I have lived here for over 30 years.

I have played bassoon in NSCB for about 9 years. I played the bassoon until I was 17 and then stopped for 30 years. I really would encourage anyone who played an instrument and gave it up to give it another go - one the best decision I have ever made!

Alison Brown

Secretary

Hi! I’m Alison and I am the secretary for the band. I joined the band in 2011 and play clarinet (or try to at least . . . . .).
I’m a microbiologist by trade and currently sell centrifuges into academia and pharmaceutical companies.
I’m married to my husband Jay, and we have 2 boys – Finley, my eldest, who plays drums in the band, and Ashton, who can often be seen running around in between rehearsals and at concerts . . . .
In my spare time I’m a beekeeper and also keep chickens and love spending time in the garden.

Richard Birch

Treasurer

I’ve been involved with the band in a non-playing capacity since 2013 when my eldest daughter, Amy, became a member playing the clarinet. I originally started out as tea boy and then when some of the band committee members knew I was an accountant, took over as treasurer in 2014 when the band needed help.

It has been an honour as a family, with my wife Linda, to continue supporting the band in the subsequent decade and playing a small part in helping it develop and grow in numbers (including my youngest daughter, Rachel, also joining as a clarinet player).

One of the areas I am proud of is helping the band to achieve charity status, which has helped to cement the organisation as a supporter of music within the wider community.

Cathryn O'Shea

Website, Publicity & Media

I'm Cathryn, I play flute, piccolo and percussion, and I'm in charge of the bands social media and website.

I'm married to the Musical Director, Colum who has been my best friend since we were teenagers. In 2023 we welcomed our son, Caelan into the world.

On the rare weekends we're not making music, we love chilling with our dog, Jetson, seeing family, and sitting in a beer garden with friends.

Victoria Williams

Committee member

Hi! I’m Victoria. I’ve been playing with NSCB since I was 10 years old, and I play principal flute (and sometimes the piccolo…!). My Dad, Richard, plays the bassoon with the band too – and my Mum and brother are avid supporters!

I am currently at the University of Nottingham studying Genetics, which definitely keeps me busy. I also work in a local care home in the Activities team, providing activities across our residential, dementia and nursing communities.

Away from music, study and work, I enjoy seeing friends and spending time with my dog, Lilly.

Sarah MacNish
Safeguarding

Hi, I’m Sarah and I have been playing in NSCB for 8 years. I play Solo Clarinet and I’m in charge of safeguarding in the band.

I have been surrounded by music my whole life. I started playing the cymbals aged 4 (the only thing I was big enough to carry and play!) in the Newark Corps of Drums – which later became The Red and Greys Youth Marching Band. I also played in various other bands growing up including County Orchestra; Grantham Town and Newark Town Bands; Magnus Swing Band; Concert Band and Dixie Land Jazz Band. This led to me studying Music at University alongside Teaching and to my job as a Primary School Teacher today.

I have now been teaching for 24 years and I am passionate about children coming together to make music and seeing the progress that they can make when playing and singing as a group or individually.

I still love playing music, and my family love music too. I am married to Stephen and have two lovely children, Hamish and Mirren. We love to listen to a wide variety of music and can often be heard singing around the house! We also love spending time at the beach and holidays – we especially love Scotland, Wales and Norfolk. I also love to read, enjoy crafting, doing a spot of gardening and finding time to catch up with my friends!

James Wood
Assistant Musical Director

I am a gin distiller for my own company:

The Gentlemen Distillers. We make gins that promote music and banding across the country, this means visiting brass band contests all over and making special batches of gin for special occasions. Being able to combine my passions for music and distilling really does make for a dream job!

My wife Shelby got me into the band back in 2018, she plays euphonium in the band and is one of our longest serving members. I’m also extremely fortunate to have very supportive parents who put up with me learning the tuba for years!

Any other spare time I might have is taken up as Musical Director of the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Concert Band.

One of my real pleasures is being able to meet with friends from the band after a successful rehearsal and relax with a good gin and tonic in hand!