A native of England and Australia, Dr. Geoffrey Whitehead began his teaching career in Western Australia as an instrumental music teacher, band director, and choir director in several of Perth’s primary and secondary schools.   Geoffrey also taught low brass performance at the University of Western Australia and the Western Australian Conservatorium.

In 1989, he was appointed  principal tuba in the Western Australia Arts Orchestra and occupied that position for three years.  He also performed regularly with the Western Australia Symphony Orchestra, with whom he recorded several TV soundtracks for Lucasfilm, as well as a compact disc of the orchestral music of Ottorino Respighi on the Polygram label.

 

Geoffrey received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Western Australia and completed the Doctor of Music degree at Indiana

University in 1999.   His conducting professors have included Richard Gill and Peter Moore in Western Australia and Ray Cramer at Indiana University.  While studying at Indiana, Geoffrey was appointed as an Assistant Instructor for the Music Education department and taught classes for three years.  Geoffrey co-designed one of Indiana University’s most popular summer music programs, “College Audition Preparation”. 

 

In addition to his responsibilities at Indiana University, Geoffrey taught instrumental music in several of Bloomington’s middle and high schools.  For three summers he also taught an outreach program, “Come Up taller”, for disadvantaged middle school

children.   Geoffrey  recorded two compact discs with Harvey Phillip’s TubaCompany; one of America’s leading tuba ensembles.  Every Christmas season, Geoffrey donned a Santa outfit and performed with Harvey Phillip’s TubaSantas!

 

From 2000 until 2004, Dr. Whitehead held the position of Instrumental Music Director at Wingate University.   His book, A College Level Tuba Curriculum, was published by the Edwin Mellen Press in 2003.  This text is used throughout the USA by tuba professors at the collegiate level.

 

Geoffrey lives in Charlotte with his wife Amy, flutist in the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.  In his spare time, he enjoys working with the animals at the Charlotte Humane Society and bicycling.