music changes young people’s lives
Meet our patrons
Profiles
YVONNE HOWARD
Stafford born Yvonne is a mezzo-soprano who has been hailed as “surely one of the finest singing actresses this country has produced”.
Yvonne was a student of Staffordshire Music Service before studying at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester. She went on to make her debuts with both the Royal Opera Covent Garden and English National Opera in 1991. Since then she has enjoyed a varied and exciting career in concert and opera throughout the world, taking in concert halls and opera houses in Japan, Brazil, USA, the Middle East and Europe as well as the UK. Yvonne is a professor at the Royal Academy of Music.
TASMIN LITTLE, OBE
Tasmin Little is an internationally famous violinst who has performed around the world As well as her regular solo performances, Tasmin has directed and played in orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic, Seattle Symphony, London Mozart Players, English Chamber Orchestra, Norwegian Chamber, European Union Chamber Orchestra and Britten Sinfonia.
Tasmin is a regular performer at the BBC Promenade Concerts and received the Critics Award at the 2011 Classic Brit Awards.
She was awarded an OBE in the 2012 Birthday Honours for services to music.
DOUGLAS BOYD
Dougie Boyd is a renowned oboist and conductor. He was one of the founding members of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe (COE) and served as its principal oboist from 1981 to 2002.
During his time with the COE he developed an interest in conducting, then in 2006 he gave up performing on the oboe, to focus on his conducting career. He is currently Artistic Director of Garsington Opera.
Andrew Worrall MA, FRSA
Andrew Worrall MA, FRSA
Andrew Worrall is a former Chair of FOSYM. His legacy of hard work and vision for the “Friends” from the early days as a committee member of the charity in 2009 and then Chair from 2011 – 2021 is clear to all. His passion for music and the holistic education of young people remains at the core of all that we continue to do.
For part of his career in Staffordshire Andrew was a Head of Faculty at Weston Road High School, Stafford. His former colleagues and students who were fortunate enough to work with him speak of his vision, infectious enthusiasm, leadership, reflection, sage mentoring and often humorous support- but above all Andrew’s tenacity and sheer determination to improve things- to make things better- especially when faced with social and educational challenges potentially detrimental to young people. His final post in Staffordshire before he retired was as an Assistant Director in Children’s services for the County Council.
Andrew recently retired from the role of FOSYM Trustee due to a house move. His departure will be a huge loss, not only to the trustees and members of FOSYM, but to music and education across Staffordshire and well beyond.
In recognition of Andrew’s inspirational commitment to FOSYM and tremendous impact upon the young musicians of Staffordshire, the board of trustees offered Andrew the role of Patron. The Trustees are delighted that Andrew accepted this title which was announced at the FOSYM AGM of 2022, We look forward to Andrew’s continuing support for FOSYM from his new home in Suffolk!