Tim Fosker LLCM FISM
About
I’ve been teaching flute/saxophone and performing in the Wiltshire/Bath/Bristol area for over 20 years now. I teach from beginners through to diploma level at Sheldon and Hardenhuish Schools in Chippenham. (I’m currently teaching all my school students online during these difficult times) During my time there I have established some very successful school ensembles (2 flute ensembles and a sax ensemble), winning awards in the Bath Mid-Somerset Festival and the Devizes Eisteddfod.
My musical career began as a military musician with the Royal Welch Fusiliers Band as principal flautist, after studying with Alan Melly in Dorset. After travelling with the Band to Berlin, where I was based from 1989-1992, I returned to England in 1991 for a further year to study with Graham Mayger (flute), Paul Harvey (saxophone) and Sarah Duller (harp) at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall. London. In 1993, I became principal flautist for the newly formed Prince of Wales’s Divisional Band, with which I travelled extensively. After a full and successful career, I left military life in 1996 to pursue my current teaching and performing career.
As well as teaching, I play flute and piccolo for the North Wilts Symphony Orchestra and saxophone for Bath Symphony Orchestra. I regularly play in shows for theatre/choral societies in the area (Piccolo, Flutes, Clarinets and Saxophones). I also have my own professional ensembles – Duettino Flute Duo (www.musicallyinspired.co.uk) and The Original Sax Quartet. (www.originalsax.co.uk)
What I / we help young people achieve
Through my teaching I aim to guide and inspire my students to develop the same passion for music that I have. Using ensemble work, students get a valuable opportunity to showcase their skills to an audience, this in turn develops their social confidence and instils a real sense of pride and a purposeful direction for their musical journey.
One of my flautists has currently gained a much sought after place in the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain and many of my students have taken their musical studies further and are now professional musicians themselves.
I use both ABRSM and Trinity College examination boards and teach up to diploma level in both. Whilst exams help by giving a strong foundation to my teaching, it is not for everyone and through a balance of technique work, duets and other fun non-exam pieces, great progress can still be realised.
Opportunities for children & young people
- To learn to play an instrument and / or develop skills on an instrument
- To create / write music and / or lyrics
- To play, perform music with others
- To learn things about oneself , other subjects or life-skills through musical activity
- To work with and support other young musicians
Times
- Term Time
- After School
- School Holidays
Working with special needs
ASD
HEARING IMPAIRED
Taught Instruments
- Woodwind
- Music Theory
- Musical Director / Conductor
Ages Taught
- 7-10
- 11-13
- 14-15
- 16+
Level Taught
- Beginners
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Qualifications, Grades & Certificates Taught
- Instrument grades
- Duke of Edinburgh Award
Other Qualifications
DipABRSM
ARSM
Musical Clusters Covered
- Chippenham
- B-on-A / Corsham
- Calne & Melksham
- Trowbridge (CSL)
Endorsements
Tim makes the most beautiful sound on a flute I have ever heard, and his exceptional musicality is evident in everything he does, including the many other instruments he plays. He is also a patient and encouraging teacher, and a consummate professional musician, whether as soloist, orchestra or band player, or teacher.
Peter French (Musical Director CLOGS Musical Theatre)
Tim always works to the highest possible standard. His musicianship, presentation and communication with an audience or colleagues is always the best it can be. Tim pays attention to detail and expects his fellow musicians to do the same. The result is always a high standard of performance.
Tim has the rare quality of being able to get the best from others by being talented, generous and likeable.
Colleagues and students alike genuinely enjoy working with him and working hard for him.
Helen Pysanczyn FTCL (perf), BA (hons) PGCE.
Tim is not only a fantastic educator, but also an enthusiastic and encouraging mentor. He is quick to recognise areas which need improvement, and is very creative and patient when it comes to addressing them. I found every lesson with Tim inspiring, and I always came home eager to work on his corrections. He always pushes his students to play with a grounded technique, as well as guiding them through creative musical decisions. Through his teaching and dedication, I passed my Grade 8 with Distinction after less than 4 years of learning with Tim. He continued to teach me to refine my technique and performances. Alongside this, Tim has helped me to find performing opportunities, which really enabled me to use the skills he helped me develop. A couple of years after taking my Grade 8 I was offered a place at a top UK Conservatoire, which would not have happened if I had not had a teacher who was so passionate about both teaching and performing.
Ruth Knight BMus (Hons) – Royal College of Music
Flute teacher/freelance flautist in Oslo, Norway.
My Training & Development