The core members of the ensemble are Sharon Walker, Julie Alder, Ralph Alder, and Noel Weston. Four close friends who have known each other for around 10 years and 3 of whom are Peripatetic Woodwind Teachers within the East Riding and North Yorkshire areas. The ensemble was first asked to perform at the reception of a wedding at the request of an acquaintance. Since then we have performed for Birthday celebrations, as well as rehearsing for our own pleasure when free time permits.
The members of "A Blast From the Past" will be performing pieces from the Light Classical, Jazz, and Popular styles of music. Each of us plays Clarinet, Flute and Saxophone within the ensemble.
Sharon Walker : Peripatetic Woodwind Teacher for East Riding Music Service. Sharon conducts the East Riding Wind Band along with Trombonist husband Peter. She also runs a Saxophone Quartet for her advanced pupils, and is currently principal clarinettist with Hull Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as a member of East Riding Sinfonia, and Hull Choral Union Orchestra. Sharon is the Clarinet and Saxophone tutor at Hull University, and often undertakes solo recital work throughout the area.
Julie Alder : Peripatetic Woodwind Teacher for both East Riding and North Yorkshire Music Services. Conductor of Wheatcroft School Orchestra, and runs a Clarinet Trio of advanced pupils who regularly perform at The Theatre in the Round in Scarborough providing pre show music in the bar area. Julie has recently performed in a recital on Clarinet with the Kirkbymoorside Baroque Orchestra. She is also a regular performer on all 3 woodwinds in The Mike Brown Big Band in Hull, and regularly takes on professional work in both the Jazz and Classical worlds.
Ralph Alder : Peripatetic Woodwind Teacher for North Yorkshire County Council. Ralph conducts 2 ensembles at Scarborough Music Centre, the Junior Concert Band, and Jazz Train ( a youth Swing Band) He also conducts the Newby CP School Orchestra. Ralph's professional playing is mostly in the Jazz world, being in both "The George Bradley Orchestra" and "The Mike Brown Big Band". He is also a regular guest artist at the many Jazz club venues around the area. He also tutors on the "Yorchestra" courses held at York University. This is a youth orchestra run during the school holidays. Ralph has run Jazz Improvisation classes there, run both the Wind Band and Swing Band, as well as tutoring the woodwind sections of the orchestras.
Noel Weston: Currently works in I.T, has been playing theClarinet & Saxophone since the age of 9. He plays professionally with The Mike Brown Big Band, The Mike Brown 8-Piece Band, Hull`s Jazz Vehicle, as well as the George Bradley Orchestra.
The Ensemble, in addition to providing sophisticated music for private functions, regularly performs at "The Orangery" at Sewerby Hall in Bridlington as part of their recital concert programme.
In April 2004 the ensemble were the guests of Hull Recital Club, and took part in a Concert at Cottingham, Hull.
