Terry Hext
Biography
Da Capo
Terry learnt to play the trombone with a local band in Wales. He was fond of telling the story of walking six miles for two weeks to listen to the band practice before they would even let him have a trombone!
Youth
As he progressed he joined the Oakdale Colliery Youth Band and also, after listening to the popular jazz records of the day, played in a local dance band, playing by ear.
His persistent practising drove his family to banning him to the toilet, but he was not to be put off, and they were pleased to hear when he announced he was joining the Army. Of course he joined as a bandsman in the Loyal Regiment (North Lancs.).
Military Melodies
The army soon realised that he had musical talent and recommended him for a one-year course at the Royal Military School of Music at Kneller Hall.
From there he won a scholarship to the Royal College of Music in London. After a spell in the Coldstream Guards he realised that a lifetime in the army was not for him. Once back in civilian life Terry joined the Luton Band and it was during this time that he won the title of “Trombone Solo Champion of Great Britain” for two years running.
Off To Beds
Whilst playing with the band he saw a job advertised in Bedford for a new department being set up to teach music in schools. He applied for the job and later became Head of Brass Teaching for Bedfordshire.
Terry left the Luton Band, to take over as Musical Director of the Bedford Town Band. Under his leadership he raised their status from the bottom of 4th Section to Championship Section within six years.
Banded About
In his time in Bedfordshire, Terry conducted the County Concert Band and the County Brass Band travelling abroad with them on many occasions. He has played principle trombone with the GUS Footwear Band and helped out many other famous bands when necessary. He has also conducted the Kempston Concert Band and played wth a local Big Band
In 1988 Terry formed Bedford Brass with his wife Marion, as a ten-piece.
Terry retired at the end of 2003 after a health scare, to spend more time playing golf, arranging and composing music, and perhaps relaxing with his family, Marion and his two sons Michael and David.
Michael, who won the first BBC Young Musician of the Year on the trombone, taught by his father, is principle trombone at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.
David, who is principle percussion with the Halle Orchestra in Manchester, has two children of his own, Thomas who plays the piano and the saxophone, and Amy.
Terry died in September 2018 and will be sadly missed and fondly remembered.