Retirement for County Music star
Warwickshire’s County Music Service Director has retired on a high note after thirteen years in post.
Colleagues, schools and former pupils have all been offering their best wishes to Garry Jones who has stepped down from his post as leader of Warwickshire County’s Council’s nationally acclaimed music service last month.
Since Garry’s arrival in Warwickshire he has worked tirelessly to create a music education service with a national reputation and the service has twice received national awards during his tenure.
Garry is held in high regard by all he has worked with, for his vision and the way he has led one of the largest music services in the country though many challenges. The Wider Opportunities programme, which offers free large group musical instrument tuition to all eight year olds, was also introduced under his leadership and Warwickshire is one of just a handful of local authorities that have fully implemented this scheme.
Looking back on his time with the service, Garry said: “It has been tremendous fun working for Warwickshire County Council for the last 13 years. It has been a superb place to work as they believe in the benefits of music for all children and in putting young people first.
“I am very proud of the achievements of the County Music Service. The greatest delight was hearing the sounds of the young people who learned music over the years. I will be handing over to an excellent successor who I am sure with continue the outstanding work of Warwickshire County Music Service. “
Garry won’t be taking a total departure from musical activities and offering support to young people, for the next eighteen months he plans to focus his energy into developing a countywide Boys’ Voices programme. The project supported by a grant obtained through Youth Music, the UK’s largest children’s music charity, is set to be a huge success.
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Families, said: “I would like to wish Garry the very best in his semi retirement and thank him for creating a superb 21st century Warwickshire Music Service.
“The County Music Service has brought opportunity, enjoyment and achievement to thousands of Warwickshire children and young people over the last thirteen years and with such strong foundations in place I’m sure it will continue to do so”.
Garry is succeeded by Andrew Atkins who previously headed up Portsmouth Music Service. Andrew will bring a wealth of experience to the role and is looking forward to further developing the service.