Paul Godman
The NWCO was first conducted in 1997 by Eddie Jones, followed by Norman Owen from 1998-2001 and Paul Godman from 2002-2009. Norman Owen will take up the baton again for the 2010-2011 season.
Paul Godman
Paul was born and grew up in Bedfordshire and his first musical experiences were as a chorister in Barton Church choir. At the age of eleven he attended Dunstable Grammar School and started to learn the french horn. At the age of fourteen, Paul became a Junior Exhibitioner at the Royal College of Music where he studied the horn with Douglas Moore and the organ with Cherry Pauls. During this time he was principal horn of the Junior Department Orchestra conducted by Christopher Adey. Paul became organist at Higham Gobion parish church and was a member of the Bedfordshire Youth Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra.
Paul continued his musical studies at Birmingham University where he specialised in the music of Mendelssohn, and conducted the University Chamber Orchestra and Symphonic Wind Band. As part of his course Paul studied the horn with Bob Blackburn and Ken Cordingley of the CBSO and conducting with Christopher Lyndon-Gee. Paul remained in Birmingham to qualify as a teacher.
Paul has played with many local orchestras including the Sinfonia of Birmingham, Leamington Chamber Orchestra, Banbury Symphony Orchestra and the North Warwickshire Chamber Orchestra. He has conducted Coventry Savoy Operatic Society and Scireborne Brass and is assistant organist at St. George’s Church, Coundon, Coventry.
Paul has recently graduated with a Masters Degree in performance from Birmingham Conservatoire where he studied horn with Peter Dyson and Simon de Souza, and conducting with Eric Hinton. He carried out research into the development of performance practice in the eighteenth centuries, and how amateur orchestras can produce historically informed performances. Paul was also awarded a place on the CBSO training scheme, giving him the opportunity to observe rehearsals and play in the orchestra.
Paul currently teaches music at Archbishop Ilsley College in Birmingham.
Norman Owen
Norman studied French horn and piano at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London – on graduating he performed in many orchestras throughout the UK and made a career in London West End shows including ‘On Your Toes’ and ‘Cabaret’.
On gaining his PGCE, Norman moved to Coventry and worked in secondary schools in the city and as a brass teacher for the Coventry Performing Arts Service. Norman has become known in the area as a horn player, playing in local orchestras and in musicals. Norman has also performed as a horn soloist in Richard Strauss Horn Concerto No.1 and the William Mathias Horn Concerto. He also appeared as soloist in the very first concert by the North Warwickshire Chamber Orchestra back in March 1997 playing Mozart’s Horn Concerto No.4.
Norman is highly regarded as a conductor and was the musical director of the NWCO from February 1998 to July 2001 when he moved to Suffolk. He has also conducted the Beauchamp Sinfonietta, Leamington Chamber Orchestra and the Bedworth Symphony Orchestra.
Before moving to accept a post as a senior manager for the Suffolk County Music Service, Norman served as Head of Music at Finham Park School. In September 2005 he accepted the post of Director of Music and Assistant Head Teacher at Coventry Blue Coat Church of England School and MusicCollege. Norman is also organist at St Barbara’s ParishChurch in Earlsdon and lives in Kenilworth with his wife Katherine and daughters Rachel and Sarah.
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