Gavin began brass studies at secondary school, went on to study Tuba at the Royal Northern College of Music and spent 16 years working as a musician. Highlights during this time include: a tour of India as a member of the European Youth Orchestra, performances with the Phoenix Brass Quintet at major European venues, orchestral work, with many of the U.Ks professional orchestras and performing as guest soloists with the American Army Band (Pershing’s Own) as duo ‘Travelling by Tuba’.
Gavin has worked in all sectors of musical education and has taught in and delivered music workshops to innumerable primary and secondary schools across the country. He was for many years a member of the teaching staff of Huddersfield University Music Department and as a Besson artist and member of Travelling by Tuba delivered masterclasses at conservatoires in the U.K and abroad.
Gavin very much enjoys his role as wind and brass teacher for CnES and takes pride in getting the best out of the young musicians’ in his care, several of whom have gone on to study music at higher education level. Gavin is particularly proud of The Lewis and Harris Youth Concert Band whose recent achievements include: gaining a gold at the annual Scottish Concert Band Festival, performing with The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and undertaking a recording with the Multimedia Unit of the Education department.
Mr Woods teaches Brass and Woodwind in the following schools in Lewis:
- The Nicolson Institute
- Stornoway Primary School
- Back School
- Tong School
- Sgoil nan Loch
- Sgoil an Rubha
