Biography
Tony Whittingham (or ‘Tony Tuba’ to his friends!) is twenty-five years old. He is a freelance musician based in Leeds, West Yorkshire.
Originally hailing from West Bromwich, Birmingham, Tony has been playing the tuba since the age of seven. His rapid progression through the Sandwell Youth Music scheme and more recently the University of Huddersfield, has led him to perform with some of the world’s finest brass bands and orchestras including, Brighouse and Rastrick, Grimethorpe Colliery, Leeds Sinfonia and the Orchestra of Opera North.
Whilst at Huddersfield, with the guidance of his fine tutors Gavin Woods and Shawn Crowther, Tony made a name for himself within the University as one of the more progressive and versatile performers of his era. His performances ranged from the classic concertos of Vaughan Williams and Ellerby, to the incredibly modern works by the likes of Robert Muszynski and Mauricio Kagel.
Tony’s drive and enthusiasm to perform led him to play in many chamber ensembles at University, including the tuba quartet, ‘Tuba Quattro’, the highly entertaining ‘Octobrassy’ and he was a founder member of the University’s own brass quintet, the much acclaimed ‘Brass Club 5’. With his music, he has taken part in concert tours of much of the world, including Canada, Malta, Singapore, most of Europe and New Zealand.
Since leaving university, Tony has been very busy. He has been appointed Associate Member of the award-winning group ‘Travelling by Tuba’, in which he travels around schools giving musical shows and leading various themed music workshops. This great experience has led him to undertake similar work on his own, and is available for booking! He has recently founded the White Rose Brass Quintet which is rapidly becoming one of the North’s premiere chamber ensembles.
Tony is currently writing a theatre show for tuba quartet, in which he cleverly incorporates his renowned sense of humour into his music to hopefully produce a show that will entertain any audience. On top of all that, he is setting up his own live music promotions agency, which will provide live music for all sorts of functions and events.
Away from performing, Tony is an active arranger and regularly has his works played by bands and chamber groups across the country. He also enjoys events management and planning - previous successes including the annual University of Huddersfield ‘Low Brass’ Day, on which he works in collaboration with the University and local schools to arrange masterclasses for brass students with world-renowned professionals, culminating in an evening gala concert.
If you would like more information on Tony or any of his work, (or even better to make a booking!) then please do not hesitate to get in touch.