BRASS BAND SUMMER SCHOOL - Key Persons
A former member of both the Foden's and YBS Bands, Becky is now Principal Trombone of the English National Opera and previously held the position of Sub-Principal Trombone of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
Born in Cambridge in 1979, Becky studied the trombone with Christopher Mowat, and euphonium with John Clark at the Junior Guildhall School of Music and Drama from the age of 12 to 18. During this time she was also a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.
In 1998 Becky gained a scholarship for a place at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, and whilst studying there won the 2002 Royal Over-Seas League Music Competition Brass Prize, the Leggett Award, Terence Nagle Award and the Harry Mortimer Award. Becky is a founder member of Bones Apart.
She enjoys a busy freelance career performing with many of the UK's orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Philharmonia, City of London Sinfonia, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden and all the BBC Orchestras.
She was guest soloist at the Guildhall Summer School and has also performed the Brahms Horn Trio with Alison Balsom and Tom Poster at the Cambridge Corn Exchange. In that same concert she conducted the world premiere of Distraction by Jay Richardson featuring Alison performing alongside brass players from all over Cambridgeshire.
Becky has given masterclasses, coached the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and adjudicated the final of the BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Award and the Help Musicians Awards. She also mentors students from the Royal College of Music on the Evolve Scheme with the English National Opera.
Twenty five years is a milestone in anyone's life but to have spent twenty five years in one band is a tremendous achievement by anyone's standards. When you couple this with the fact that Brian has spent twenty of those years as principal cornet, this gives you some idea of the immeasurable talent of the man. He joined Faireys at the age of fifteen as an apprentice toolmaker - but more importantly as 3rd Cornet player as well! After climbing up the back row, to Repiano Cornet and finally making the Front bench, he was thrust into the hot seat on Principal Cornet for Sir Arthur Bliss's "Belmont Variations" for the Area Contest under Walter Hargreaves.
His informative years (Cornet playing wise) were spent with his Dad (Charlie) and brothers, Rob and John, in Tyldesley Prize Band and in his local Salvation Army Band. Brian is respected, admired and envied by every band in the country and still as keen and passionate about banding as he was as a fifteen year old, wide eyed youngster when he first joined Faireys.
He is currently a peripatetic brass teacher in the Burnley/Bury area and a cornet tutor at the University of Salford.
Brian's playing career has spanned some very great changes in all facets of band playing. He's played all the very different test pieces of the last twenty years, through Eric Ball, Vinter, Sparke and Philip Wilby and equipped himself admirably in every performance.
Brian won the Bandsman of the Year (2005) in the annual vote by the members of the Fairey Band. The Brass Band Summer School is delighted to have Brian Taylor on its tutorial staff.
Chris Bradley has earned a reputation as one of the finest cornetists of his generation. He is a Besson artist, principal cornet with the famous Whitburn Band and recently released his debut solo album 'Silver Lining'.
Chris Bradley started his playing career at Saint Andrew's High School, Clydebank with James Hillis and continued at the RSAMD with Nigel Boddice, gaining a Batchelor Of Arts in Music. He then completed a Post Graduate Diploma at the National Centre for Orchestral Studies in London, where his tutors included John Wallace, John Wilbraham and Malcolm Smith. During his studies Chris was a winner of the much coveted Governors Recital Prize for Brass. He was also a soloist with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, performing Arutunian's Trumpet Concerto in the Summer Of 1984.
Chris's first brass band experience was on 3rd Cornet with Clydebank Burgh Band in 1981, under the baton of Nigel Boddice. He moved gradually through the section, eventually settling on the Flugelhorn chair, where he remained until 1984.
During the 80s and 90s Chris was a regular performer with all of Scotland's top professional Orchestras, most notably the Scottish National Orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, The Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet. He also worked as a freelance musician in many concerts and shows throughout the country, most notably a UK Tour of Me And My Girl, starring Gary Wilmot in 1995. Chris was also a member of the Caledonia Brass Quintet, originally made up of members of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland.
Throughout his career Chris has always had Brass Bands at heart. He has been associated with the Whitburn Band for 35 years, and has held the position of Principal Cornet since 2004. He has won the Terris medal 6 times at the Scottish Championships, as well as many other solo prizes, including best flugelhorn at the 2013 Brass in Concert contest in Gateshead, and on several occasions, the Philip McCann Trophy for best cornet at the Land O' Burns entertainment Contest in Troon, Scotland.
In 2016 Chris became Principal Cornet of Tubular Brass, a newly formed ensemble which embarked on a UK tour of Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield, arranged by Sandy Smith. The band also performed a programme of Progressive Rock.
Chris has also enjoyed much success as a brass and concert band Conductor working with many bands in Scotland, including resident conductor at Whitburn. He has been Musical Director with the Dunaskin Doon Band, Johnston Silver Band, Unison Kinneil Band, Barrhead Band, Croy Parish Silver Band and Renfrew Burgh Band. Chris currently conducts the Kirkintilloch Kelvin band, and is also a member of the Scottish Concert Band Festival adjudication team. He works as a Brass Instructor for South Lanarkshire Council.
In March 2018 Chris released his first solo CD, entitled Fusion, which was nominated for the 4barsrest CD of the year. He recently won the Best Soloist award in the inaugural Cory Band Virtual Brass Band Contest, playing Ben Hollins' First Light.
During lockdown Chris, along with his son Ryan has created a catalogue of multi screen, multi instrument recordings. BBSS is delighted to to welcome Chris to its stellar team of tutors for the 2022 course.
Job Titles:
- Euphonium & Baritone Tutor
- Professor of Euphonium at the University of North Texas
The grandson and son of well-respected euphonium players from the Welsh Valleys, and himself described by The Observer as ‘a great ambassador for the euphonium, possessing an astonishing technique and an engaging stage presence', David Childs is regarded as one of the finest brass musicians of his generation, touring extensively throughout Asia, continental Europe, and North America, and recording actively for radio, television, and CD.
He has appeared as soloist with the BBC, Manchester and RTÉ Concert orchestras, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonie Baden-Baden, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sinfonia Cymru, Welsh National Opera, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and many of the finest brass bands and military bands in both the UK and USA. He has made solo appearances at the Singapore International Festival, Harrogate International Festival, Cheltenham Festival, Melbourne International Festival, BBC Proms and New York Festival, given solo recitals at the Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room and Bridgewater Hall, and performed concertos at the Concertgebouw, Royal Albert Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Symphony Hall, Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall New York.
A keen advocate of new music, Childs has premièred fifteen concertos for euphonium including a Royal Albert Hall BBC Proms broadcast of Alun Hoddinott's, Sunne Rising - The King Will Ride, a Carnegie Hall US première of Sir Karl Jenkins' Concerto for Euphonium & Orchestra, a UK premiere of Christian Lindberg's Concerto for Euphonium & Orchestra directed by the composer and a Welsh Proms world première of Paul Mealor's Concerto for Euphonium & Orchestra.
During his career as a euphonium soloist, Childs has received many awards in recognition of his achievements, including: Arts Council Wales Creative Wales Award; Worshipful Company of Musicians Silver Medal Award; Welsh Music Guild's Leo Abse & Cohen Award; Harry Mortimer Trust Award; RNCM Principal's Gold Medal Award; Making Music's Dorothy Green Award; Musicians Benevolent's Sir Charles Leggett Award; Countess of Munster Star Award, and many more. He has also received several accolades as a recording artist, including an ITEA Roger Bobo Excellence in Recording Award, and can be heard on several labels including EMI, Deutsche Gramophone, Chandos, Doyen and World of Sound.
A proud product of the British brass band movement, Childs is a former member of several ensembles including the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, National Youth Brass Band of Wales, Brighouse and Rastrick, and Cory Band, with whom he was Principal Euphonium for ten years under the baton of his father, Robert Childs.
In 2018 David Childs was appointed Professor of Euphonium at the University of North Texas and continues to enjoy an association with the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama as an Honorary Associate and International Visiting Tutor. He is a founding member of Eminence Brass, Artistic Director of Cardiff Symphonic Winds, Principal Conductor of Dallas Brass Band and Editor of the Brass Band World Magazine. As a Buffet Crampon Besson Artist he continues to showcase the euphonium as a serious solo vehicle within the world of classical music, leading the way for euphonium players worldwide. For further infromation: www.davechilds.com
Job Titles:
- Cornet Tutor & Guest Soloist
Born into a Salvation Army family, James began playing the cornet at 3 years of age. With his musical upbringing being in the ‘Brass Band World', James held Principal Cornet position's at the National Youth Brass Band, GUS Band and the Grimethorpe Colliery Band all before the age of 18 when he chose to study Trumpet at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, in London.
Whilst still in his studies at the Guildhall, under Paul Cosh and Paul Beniston, James was appointed Principal Trumpet of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of 20, a position he held for 5 years before moving to the London Philharmonic Orchestra on Joint Principal Trumpet at the end of 2019, and the London Symphony Orchestra as Principal Trumpet in 2021.
As an orchestral musician, James has played as Guest Principal with all the major London Orchestras, including the London Symphony, Philharmonia and the BBC Symphony, whilst also featuring as a soloist on numerous occasions with the Royal Philharmonic. Other appearances as a soloist have taken James around the world, with concerts in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Kuwait, Japan and the USA, as well as regular European trips.
Also in demand in the recording studio, James can be heard performing on several Film, Video Game and TV soundtracks including; Aladdin, Battlefield, Dumbo, Guardians of the Galaxy and Wonder Woman to name just a few.
James is a Trumpet Professor at the Royal College of Music, London.
Les Neish has created a career as a soloist, chamber musician and educator with a world-wide reputation, and has been described by Bramwell Tovey, Principal Conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra and Brass Band Summer School President, as: "The player who most reminds me of John Fletcher"
Known for his musicianship, artistry and high level of communication, Les dazzles audiences with fabulous technique and the real essence of music making - fun! As the first tuba player to be awarded the Worshipful Company of Dyers Award at the Royal Overseas League Competition and performing the first solo tuba recital at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, Les has always pushed the boundaries leading him to a performance at Millennium Park, Chicago and recording with pop star "Sting".
Job Titles:
- Bookings Administrator / the
Liz was born and brought up in Surrey and started playing Tenor Horn at the age of 9. She moved quickly on to French Horn and played in the school orchestra, wind band and the local Area Youth Orchestra before being eventually persuaded to join the local town band back on Tenor Horn.
She trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School as a Stage Manager and after spending ten years working in professional theatres around the country and the BBC in London, she finally decided to get a ‘proper job with sensible hours' in a bank! This gave her time to rejoin a band, become secretary of that band and be on both the London & Home Counties Area and Southern Counties bands committees!
Liz moved ‘up north' to Yorkshire in 1994 with her (ex) husband's job and fully embraced the Brass Band scene there too … joining her husband's band, attending Yorkshire & Humberside and the Northern Area meetings and working backstage for the Northern Area Contests until their son was born.
She continues using her stage management skills by helping out various local amateur groups, is Chairman of a Harrogate musical theatre group, contest secretary for Tewit Youth Band, works pretty much full time and plays on the back row of Wetherby Silver Band.
Booking your place on the Brass Band Summer School could not be easier BOOK NOW!
Job Titles:
- Resident Pianist / Accompanist
British pianist Matthew McCombie is becoming increasingly established as a versatile artist with an engaging approach to music. Matthew participates in a wide range of activities including performances as a soloist and orchestral musician, accompaniment, collaboration with composers, and educational work. As well as frequent performances in the United Kingdom, Matthew regularly travels internationally to perform for the Cunard Line and P&O Cruises.
Following a period of study with Tony Unwin in Cambridge Matthew went on to receive tuition from Philip Fowke and Douglas Finch at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London (formerly Trinity College of Music). Matthew graduated from Trinity Laban's BMus Performance course with First Class Honours and was awarded the Silver Medal for his contribution to the conservatoire as well as being selected to represent the Keyboard Faculty in the Trinity Laban Gold Medal Showcase. Matthew continued his studies with Ruth Nye MBE at the Royal College of Music, London where he graduated from the Masters Programme in Advanced Performance with Distinction.
Matthew has worked with leading conductors including Barry Wordsworth, James Judd, and Ronald Corp performing works such as Grieg's Piano Concerto, Stravinsky's Petrushka, and Saint-Saëns' Carnival of the Animals. He has taken part in masterclasses with internationally renowned pianists such as Angela Hewitt, William Aide, Gordon Fergus-Thompson, and Peter Donohoe. Prizes and awards which Matthew has won include the John Longmire Beethoven Competition, the Alfred Kitchen Chopin Competition, the John Halford Contemporary Music Competition, the Trinity Laban Founders' Prize for Accompaniment, and the Il Circolo Music Award from the Italian Cultural Institute, London. Matthew also plays the organ and has an interest in jazz having previously shared the piano residency at the Savoy Hotel, London.
Job Titles:
- Tenor Horn & Flugel Tutor
Owen's involvement with brass music began in Wales at the age of six when he joined the Pontypool Brass Band. He later became a member of the Gwent County Youth Brass Band and the National Youth Brass Band of Wales, progressing to principal horn with both ensembles. Owen's emerging talent was recognised in 1995, when he became the British Open Junior Solo champion. He was later appointed solo horn with the Tredegar Town Band, before moving to England to study at the Royal Northern College of Music. Six months later, he joined the world famous Williams' Fairey Band, with whom he enjoyed a great deal of success before moving back to the Land of his Father's to take the position of solo horn with the Cory.
2002 was an extremely busy year for Owen; he graduated from the Royal Northern where his talent was recognised by his immediate appointment to the department as Tenor Horn Teacher. He also accepted a teaching post at Liverpool University. On top of this busy teaching schedule, he also went on to form "Sonar Brass" alongside Richard Marshall, Alan Morrison, Nicholas Hudson and Shaun Crowther. This dynamic ensemble has enjoyed great success, culminating in prestigious broadcasts such as "Listen to the Band" and "Friday Night is Music Night". Owen is dedicated to improving the pedagogy of the Tenor Horn and is constantly exploring ways of improving teaching methods for the instrument he loves. This can be seen both in the positions he holds at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and the Royal Northern College of Music. His work as a Besson clinician sees him tour the world raising awareness of the Tenor Horn with his lyrical tone and stunning technical precision.
Owen is in many ways a musician's musician, combining amazing skill on the instrument of his choice with a passionate urge to know everything about his profession and develop that body of knowledge even further. The promise of his early talent has blossomed into an assured maturity that ensures Owen's place in the "Front Row" of brass band musicians, soloists and educators for the 21st Century. Owen Farr is Solo Horn with the Brass Band of Battle Creek and an official Besson tester, involved in the development of Besson tenor horns
A proud Welshman, Robert Childs was born in Crickhowell in 1957 and was introduced to music at an early age by his father, John, a coal miner and euphonium player.
Having left school to begin a mechanical apprenticeship at Ebbw Vale Steelworks at the age of 15, by the time Robert was 19, he was married to the love of his life, Lorraine, and was playing with the famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band under the baton of the legendary Elgar Howarth. On his arrival in Yorkshire, Elgar Howarth recalls:
"Robert Childs arrived at Grimethorpe as a teenage virtuoso and matured to become master of his trade. He is a stunning example of what can be achieved by natural talent allied to open-mindedness, hard work and intelligence."
During his time at Grimethorpe, Robert premiered Golland's Euphonium Concerto at Sydney Opera House, was voted International Euphonium Player of the Year, and secured his first teaching post at the University of Salford. His reputation as a soloist and brass teacher quickly led to simultaneous posts at other universities, all whilst continuing his day job as an engineer and being a loving Dad to his children, Lisa and David.
In the years that followed, Robert toured the world as soloist and educator, performing at prestigious venues and delivering master classes at leading conservatoires. He also formed a musical partnership with his euphonium-playing brother, Nicholas, and together made their debut as the Childs Brothers at the Royal Albert Hall in 1985. Nick revealed:
"I've only had two teachers, my father and my brother. As the Childs Brothers it was always good to know that when I entered the stage and the lights came on, Bob was by my side. He's a fantastic musician, friend and brother."
Robert later became principal euphonium and associate conductor of Black Dyke Band, and it was during this time that he cemented his position as one of the world's leading euphonium soloists, and developed his reputation as a conductor, working with the likes of Evelyn Glennie, Lesley Garrett and Lady Susannah Walton.
By now his career had moved from engineering to music, and having left school at an early age, Robert decided to educate himself as a mature student, gaining a Master's Degree in Advanced Musicology from The University of Leeds, a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from the Open University, and a Doctorate in Musical Arts from the University of Salford.
In 2000 he returned to Wales when he was appointed Musical Director of Cory Band. At the time Cory was ranked 13th in the World, but Robert made an immediate impact, and with more than 20 contest victories, including a World Championship, a hat trick of European titles and five British Opens, he led the band to its current position of No.1 in the World, and whilst doing so, broke new ground artistically through commissions, recordings and high profile collaborations.
His remarkable achievements were recognised by the Worshipful Company of Musicians when he was awarded the prestigious Iles Silver Medal in 2007, before receiving ‘Freedom of the City of London' and the Welsh Music Guild's prestigious John Edwards Memorial Award for outstanding contribution to Welsh Music in 2008.
As an educator, Robert is pre-eminent in his field, and began his current post as the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama's first Director of Brass Band Studies in 2005, whilst also Musical Director of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales. Having also been Musical Director of the Grimethorpe Colliery, leading them to British Open victory in 2015, he is currently a visiting Professor at Tokyo's Senzoku College of Music, Musical Director of the Woodfalls Band, Managing Director of Performing Arts in Education, Musical Director of the North American Brass Band Summer School and Chairman of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britian, where as a young euphonium player, he met his wife, Lorraine 45 years ago.
A proud Welshman, Robert Childs was born in Crickhowell in 1957 and was introduced to music at an early age by his father, John, a coal miner and euphonium player.
Having left school to begin a mechanical apprenticeship at Ebbw Vale Steelworks at the age of 15, by the time Robert was 19, he was married to the love of his life, Lorraine, and was playing with the famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band under the baton of the legendary Elgar Howarth.
"Robert Childs arrived at Grimethorpe as a teenage virtuoso and matured to become master of his trade. He is a stunning example of what can be achieved by natural talent allied to open-mindedness, hard work and intelligence."
During his time at Grimethorpe, Robert premiered Golland's Euphonium Concerto at Sydney Opera House, was voted International Euphonium Player of the Year, and secured his first teaching post at the University of Salford. His reputation as a soloist and brass teacher quickly led to simultaneous posts at other universities, all whilst continuing his day job as an engineer and being a loving Dad to his children, Lisa and David.