Encore: The Concert Band was established in 1994 to perform, preserve and enhance concert band music in the Greater London area. To accomplish this goal, Encore performs a series of five concerts every year. All concerts are scheduled on Sunday afternoons and take place at Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School in London.
The 70+ musicians playing in Encore come from London and surrounding communities. They represent all walks of life drawn from the community at large. All band musicians are volunteers and do not receive pay for their performances.
The programs contain, as often as possible, music composed by Canadian composers including composers and arrangers from the London area.
About our Conductor
Glenn Waugh has been active in the London musical community for over 20 years. Since 2007 he has taught music at Medway H.S., just outside the city in Arva. He has conducted the concert and jazz bands at all levels, leading students in performances at the grand opening of the London Music Hall of Fame, London Kiwanis Festival, and MusicFest Nationals competitions, and co-directing the TVDSB Honour Jazz Band. He has presented as a clinician at TVDSB MusiCon and the Ontario Music Educators Association conference, and coordinated the TVDSB Honour Band program.
As a performer, he has played trumpet in the London Jazz Orchestra, Encore the Concert Band, and the Baddest Big Band. In younger days, he also performed with his own jazz quintet, and as a freelance trumpeter in pit bands for local musicals. Prior to teaching, Glenn received his Bachelor of Music (Honours Education) and B.Ed from Western University, playing trumpet in both the Jazz and Wind Ensembles. In 2025, Glenn received his Masters in Music Performance – Wind Literature and Conducting from Western University, where he rehearsed and conducted the Symphonic Band while studying with Dr. Colleen Richardson.
Glenn is excited to lead us in his inaugural season as Artistic Director and Conductor!
About our Conductor Emeritus
Gwyn Beynon is a well-known and respected performer, teacher and conductor in Southwestern Ontario. Born in Ingersoll, Ontario, he studied trumpet with the late James Ford, renowned trumpet player and educator, and was one of the youngest players accepted into the National Youth Orchestra.
He holds degrees from Western University in music, education and administration, and has frequently acted as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator across Ontario. Gwyn started as a teacher and eventually rose to principal with the Thames Valley District School Board where he championed music education and directed high school bands that won national and international awards. He also taught at the Western University Faculty of Education. Gwyn continues to be an active performer, playing trumpet with Brassroots and the London Jazz Orchestra.
Gwyn became the Artistic Director and Conductor of Encore: The Concert Band in 2009, where he continued to build on the legacy of musical excellence, entertainment and innovation established by Founding Director Emeritus, Phil Murphy. On 9 June 2024, Gwyn retired at the conclusion of Encore’s 30th anniversary concert season.
Our Founding Director Emeritus
As one of London’s best-known musicians, Phil Murphy made a substantial impact. He was renowned for his contributions as music educator, performer, conductor and adjudicator, with versatility in genres from classical and theatrical to jazz and Klezmer. For fifteen years Phil brought this musical depth to Encore: The Concert Band.
On 31 May 2009, Phil retired as Conductor after Encore’s 15th Anniversary concert. The band was delighted to have him return on 24 February 2019 – shortly after his 90th birthday! – as guest conductor, in celebration of Encore’s 25th anniversary. We sadly lost Phil on 13 February 2022. His legacy and impact on the London music community will not be forgotten.