Linda Whitaker

1st Horn

Banding History

Linda was born on the Isle of Man and first joined Onchan Silver Band at the age of 8 learning to play cornet. Following varying periods trying out on tenor horn, trombone & baritone, Linda returned to playing the horn and has stayed with this instrument ever since.

After moving from the Isle of Man at the age of 14, Linda went to Grange Girls Grammar School where she first met the bands Flugel Horn Player, Lynne Walsh. During this time, Linda was taught by the late Tom F Atkinson (Lynne Walsh's Grandfather).
Aged 16, Linda joined Bradford Victoria Band on 2nd horn and stayed with them until joining the newly formed Drighlington Band in 1983 playing for various times on 2nd and 1st horn.

In 1999, Linda left the band and joined Yorkshire Co-operative Band and had 4 enjoyable years with them on 1st Horn. When a change in Musical Director and a subsequent vacancy became available back at Drighlington, Linda took the opportunity to return to the band and has been the 1st horn player ever since.

Professional

Linda is a Registered General Nurse with many additional qualifications including a BA in Nurse Education & an MA in Applied Research and Quality Evaluation in Health Service Provision. She is currently employed by Leeds University on a grant from Cancer Research UK researching the Genetic & Environmental factors in the development of Melanoma in Families.

Family

Linda is married to Tony, has two step daughters & 5 step grandchildren. She enjoys reading, messing about on the computer, spending quality time with Tony, her twin sister Diana (her 'other half'), Diana's family and Linda & Tony's two cats Bonnington & Lucas. Linda is also an avid Liverpool supporter (Editor: Well we can't all be perfect!).