Inspirational teacher hangs up instruments

AWARD-winning music teacher Chris Waters is retiring, having changed the shape of brass and woodwind lessons for young people.
Chris Waters retires from music teachingChris Waters retires from music teaching
Chris Waters retires from music teaching

Mr Waters has been described as the teacher who reinvented brass and woodwind peripatetic music teaching and he won the Classic fM UK Peripatetic Music Teacher of the Year award in 2008.

He has given thousands of young musicians, from the age of six, inspirational tuition in his colourful mobile classroom and has worked at the same school for 21 years.

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Chris said: “I won the Classic fM UK Peripatetic Music Teacher of the Year award at the Royal Albert Hall, London, in November, 2008, out of over 3,000 nominations.

“I have been teaching brass and woodwind at Lancing College Prep School, formerly Broadwater Manor School, in Broadwater Road, Worthing, consecutively for 21 years but having reached 65, it’s time to retire and hang-up his instruments.”

He retired on Friday from all his schools, having raised more than £14,000 for Children in Need over the years.

Chris explained that his school band had performed at many concerts, summer fairs, charity events and Christmas carol services, as well as busking to raise the money.

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He is highly respected by young musicians, parents and Mrs Heather Beeby, head teacher at Lancing College Prep School.

Mrs Beeby said: “Chris has inspired and motivated children here for 21 years and at our End of Year Celebration on Friday morning, all enjoyed his glorious music for one last time.

“I wish him every happiness in his retirement and am sure that he will find new ways to keep inspiring children with his passion for music.”

Former Broadwater Manor School pupil Sophie said: “He arranges really fun pieces of music for you to play so it makes playing an instrument a whole lot of fun.”

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Mrs MacDonald said Mr Waters had taught both her boys at Broadwater Manor School.

“I have been truly delighted. They have loved their lessons with him and I feel he is an inspirational teacher. I feel that Chris Waters is unique and offers something that I couldn’t find in any other music teacher.

“He has shown the children how they can use music in their future life by busking, performing and all sorts of different ways and I am really, really delighted.”

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