4BARSREST.COM - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Conductor, Brass Teacher, Adjudicator ( ABBA )

Alan started as a junior performer at the Royal Manchester College of Music and at the age of 17 was a full time student under the tuition of Terry Nagel who was principal trombone with the Halle Orchestra. Throughout this period he was playing in the variety clubs and bands such as Hebden Bridge, Lockwood Band. Whilst at the RMCM he played in all types of groups and many top orchestra concerts. After leaving college he became a pro trombone player in Kent and returned to Yorkshire to join Black Dyke Mills Band under the musical direction of Dr Roy Newsome, Geoffrey Brand, Michael Antrobus and Major Peter Parkes. He was part of two double wins, two hat-trick wins, BBC Band of the Year and Freedom of the City Of Bradford, tours to Switzerland, Germany, Holland, Ireland, recorded with Don Lusher, Morris Murphy and many guest soloists. He was also teaching at Rochdale Music Centre, courses at Lancaster University and Swiss Brass band courses. After leaving Black Dyke he joined the James Shepherd Versatile Brass, again touring abroad many CD and TV recordings and many concerts throughout the country under the musical direction of Ray Farr, Ray Woodfield and Frank Renton.

Job Titles:

• Conductor & Composer

Job Titles:

• Conductor, Arranger, Adjudicator & Educationist

Andrew's work within the brass band movement is extensive. As Chairman of the NABBC he is promoting new ambitious strategies to support the aspirations of existing and new conductors. As Chairman of the National College of Brass (1993-2007) he oversaw the management, staffing, examination procedures for thousands of examination candidates including those at diploma level and, supported the musical education of young brass players across the nation. As a brass band adjudicator he has worked successfully throughout the UK for more than 30 years. He has been an examiner for various examination boards, had several compositions published and, been highly successful professionally directing musicals. As a conductor he has recorded numerous TV and radio performances, toured through-out Europe and, taken 8 bands from the lower sections into the Championship Section, often gaining promotion in consecutive years. His last three visits to the national finals have resulted in two first positions and a second place in the first section. His educational qualifications are extensive and, technical skills as a young euphonium player appreciated in numerous nationally respected championship bands, orchestras and ensembles. As Music Adviser for the nationally respected Blackpool Music Service and Educational Hub he continues to support all young musicians, bands and conductors through extensive Professional Development and consultation.

Job Titles:

• Conductor, Adjudicator, Compere, Actor

Job Titles:

• Conductor, Arranger, Adjudicator, Compere, Band Trainer

Chris King started his interest in music while playing the cornet with various brass bands in Lincolnshire, going on to serve as a musician in the British Army for 25 years, culminating his service as Bandmaster of the Band of the Grenadier Guards in London. Chris began his relationship with the Friary Brass Band as Musical Director in 2006. During his tenure, the band has had repeated contest success including victory at the 2010 First Section National Championships and the 2014 Senior Trophy, L&SC champions in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 as well as qualification for the National Brass Band Championships in the Royal Albert Hall on the last six successive years. As well as conducting Friary Brass on a regular basis, Chris has worked as conductor in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. He has judged recently at Brass in Concert, SIDDIS and the L&SC and Midlands Regional Championships and a number of music festivals. As well as being an experienced conductor and adjudicator, he is also highly regarded as a band arranger.

Job Titles:

• Conductor, Adjudicator, Arranger

Born in 1961, Chris Wormald was awarded The Mortimer Medal in 1998 from The Worshipful Company of Musicians at the British Open in Birmingham Symphony Hall and was named 2001 Classic FM Music Teacher of The Year at a lavish ceremony in London, presented by Leonard Bernstein's close friend and biographer, Humphrey Burton. Chris also attended the May 2018 Buckingham Palace Garden Party at the invitation of, and in the presence of, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for his outstanding dedication and services to music education over 35 years - the very last Buckingham Palace Garden Party to be attended in person by Her Majesty The Queen at the age of 93. Chris has been a senior member of both AoBBA and BBCA, the Brass Band Conductors' Association, since the early 1990s and has won numerous contests, competitions, festivals and awards as conductor, horn player, pianist, teacher and arranger. Now into his fourth decade as a professional adjudicator, Chris has over one hundred adjudications to his credit all over the World since 1991 with the emphasis on Championship Section and international contests since 2004.

Job Titles:

• Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator

Job Titles:

• Founder
• Director of the Newly Formed Pennine Brass
• Leader of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain

Ian Porthouse was born in Cumbria in 1967 into a family of musicians. His father, a cornettist and mother a pianist/singer. At the age of 5 he began to take an interest in his dads trumpet, before being banned from playing for a short while for losing his fathers best mouthpiece whilst playing outdoors! Ian joined the Flimby Saxhorn Silver Band on 3rd cornet where his father was principal cornet, within 5 years he would take over on the end himself. Also around this time Ian became a founder member of the Cumbria Youth Brass Band under Richard Evans, who was to have a big impact on his musical career. At the age of 16, Ian became the leader of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and led the band for 3 years in total. After living in New Zealand for a year and winning the national title with the St Kilda Band, Ian returned to the UK and became principal cornet with the Black Dyke Mills Band, winning another National title in 1993 and appearing as a soloist with them in the world famous Carnegie Hall- New York. Ian has been principal cornet with the Yorkshire Building Society Band, winning 3 European Championships and the British Open in 1997, at this contest Ian was awarded the prize as most outstanding soloist. Last year Ian formed his own 12 piece brass ensemble, IPBrass, who have performed at many prestigious venues in their short existence culminating in the gala concert at the 2006 National Brass Band Championships held in the Royal Albert Hall and broadcast on BBC radio.

John Maines was born in Warrington, England. After initial lessons from his father, his early musical career started as a tenor horn player with the Prescot Cables Band. After a move to trombone he joined the Wigan Boys Club and Cammell Laird band in Birkenhead, Cheshire. As a young player he became the North of England Junior Solo Champion and was invited to play for the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. A move to Cornwall saw John as principal trombone with St.Austell and Bodmin bands where he quickly made his mark with a succession of competition victories at solo competitions throughout the South West. It was at this time that he gained the title of Champion Trombone Player of Great Britain on three successive occasions. One of only two players ever to achieve a hat-trick in this event. After playing solo trombone with the Stanshawe (Bristol) and Fairey Engineering bands with whom he also held the post of principal trombone with Harry Mortimer's Men o' Brass, he became principal trombone with the Black Dyke Mills Band. With this famous band he won many major British titles and a hat trick of European Championships. He also toured such countries as Holland, Switzerland, Spain and Japan. Since 1979 he has been a music tutor for the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and is a Council member of the same organisation. John travels extensively in Europe taking him to such places as Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg and Denmark where he has taken part in various musical activities including the direction of the National Youth Band of Denmark. John's academic work saw him graduate from Sheffield University with a BA (Hons) Degree. John is in demand as a conductor in the UK directing many of our finest bands, as well as undertaking the role of Master of Ceremonies at many of the country's prestigious events such as The National Youth Band Championships, The Great Northern Brass Arts Festival, The Harry Mortimer Centenary Concert and acting as compere for many of the world's finest bands such as Black Dyke, Fairey's, Grimethorpe Colliery, Fodens, Brighouse & Rastrick, Wingates, Leyland and Cory. John was for a time the Musical Director of the world famous Versatile Brass group with whom he travelled extensively. John is a writer for various music publications, and has taken part in many recordings for CD, Radio and Television. In addition to his everyday banding activities John was for many years the presenter of the long running BBC weekly band programme "GMR Brass" and in 1999 received the Manchester Music Makers award for his contribution to music broadcasting in the Greater Manchester area. As well as his role as the in-house producer for Doyen Recordings John is also the presenter of World of Brass Radio on www.worldofbrass.com, an internet based programme of news, chat and of course brass music.

Job Titles:

• Conductor, Adjudicator, Teacher

Jonathan is a freelance musician based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, regularly playing trumpet and cornet with groups such as the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, RTE Concert Orchestra, Ulster Orchestra, Insieme Brass and is currently musical advisor for the 1st Old Boys Brass Band. He was taught cornet by his father, then trumpet by Paul Young at the City of Belfast School of Music becoming Principal Trumpet of the National Youth Orchestra of GB. Jonathan studied trumpet at the RNCM with John Miller and John Dickinson, during this time he developed a passion for brass band conducting leading to his appointment as Musical Director of Besses o' th' Barn Brass Band and Professional Conductor for Cwmaman Institute Brass Band. In 2005 he received his Masters in Conducting from the RNCM having studied with James Gourlay and in 2016 he was awarded his Ph.D from the University of Salford. He has performed and recorded with bands such as Black Dyke, Brighouse & Rastrick and has performed Haydn, Hummel and Bach concertos with the Ulster Orchestra, Camerata Ireland and Nottingham Chamber Orchestras respectively. Jonathan was conductor of Enfield Citadel SA Band making several recordings, commissioning works by leading wind/brass composers and featuring world class soloists. His work within music education includes rehearsal conductor for the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland, the European Youth Brass Band, teaching/conducting with SELB Music Service, Brent Music Service, Havering Music Service, Berkshire Maestros, various Salvation Army music schools and a period as Bandmaster, Head of Brass and Assistant Housemaster at Pangbourne College. For several years, Jonathan was Director of Music and Gospel Arts for The Salvation Army in Chicago leading the after school music programs, youth groups, leadership seminars and founding the composite Red Shield Brass Band bridging the music into rehabilitation centres and areas of social depravity. He has been on the panel for auditions and final recitals at institutions such as Salford University and Northern Illinois University and has adjudicated for the Scottish Championships, NIBA and US Open Championships. As an arranger, Jonathan's music has been performed/recorded by many music groups and soloists across the World - his passion is Classical/Choral transcriptions for brass with several pieces published by Brookwright Music. In 2019 he was part of the development of the new 800 DLX Cornet from Getzen Musical Instruments and is now Director of Getzen Ireland Ltd. the sole importer of Getzen instruments for the UK and Ireland.

Job Titles:

• Conductor, Adjudicator, Trombone Soloist & Clinician

Jonathan is a freelance trombone player and conductor based in London. Over the last 20 years Jonathan's trombone career has spanned all musical genres from Brighouse and Rastrick to Royal Ballet to the Ted Heath Big Band and just about everything in between. As a Conductor and Musical Director Jonathan has worked in sessions for Sony EMI and West One Music, conducting his own Novartis ensemble and the English Session Orchestra, and was one of the Assistant Conductors on Half a Sixpence. Jonathan has conducted in concert and on tour with the Desford Band, and has conducted numerous others including Tredegar Band and BTM Band. Jonathan held the position Musical Director with Staines Brass from 2012-2015 and Assistant Musical director of Staffordshire Band in 2015. Cut short by his new job in the West End. While a member of the Central Band of the Royal Air Force Jonathan publicly conducted the RAF Brass Ensemble and formed his own RAF Ensemble 'A La Mode' to direct orchestral chamber repertoire. Jonathan has recently led the Band of the Royal Yeomanry on a training day at their bandroom in the city of London and is a regular guest with Staffs and Staines band as well as being recently appointed Professional Conductor with the Parc and Dare Band. Jonathan has performed as guest principal trombone with many fine ensembles including the Bergen Philharmonic, Malmo Symphony, Royal Philharmonic, Philharmonia, Halle, City Of Birmingham, Porto Symphony and English National Opera orchestras, and has held the Principal trombone 'chair' with the Remix Ensemble Casa da Musica, Brighouse and Rastrick Band, the Central Band of the Royal Air Force the RAF Squadronaires, and most recently the Cameron Macintosh West End Production of Half a Sixpence. Jonathan has worked with many acclaimed artists and soloists Including Bryn Terfel, Kiri Te Kanawa, Sir Cliff Richard, Will Young, Dame Vera Lynn, Hayley Westenra, Michael Ball, Kathrine Jenkins and Max Boyce. As a soloist he has performed in Lithuania, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Cyprus, Portugal, Spain and all the nations of the United Kingdom as well as having been featured as a soloist on the BBC programme Listen to the Band on six separate occasions. Jonathan was featured as a soloist with the British Trombone society in Cardiff in 2010, and has recorded on numerous CDs. In 2015 he recorded Berio's Sequenza no 5 for the Royal Air Forces 'going solo' CD and in the same year was featured as soloist on Tredegar Band's award winning CD 'Freaks'. Jonathan has been lucky enough to perform at all the UK's major concert halls and was a Member of the Royal Air Force Fanfare team for the entrance of William and Kate at the Royal Wedding, held at Westminster Abbey in 2011 watched by 2 billion people worldwide. As an educator and clinician, Jonathan has worked with the National Youth Brass Band and Wind Orchestra of Wales, Gwent and Gloucester youth bands, and has taken masterclasses while working as a soloist in various countries and establishments, most recently with the training team of the Irish Guards Band. Jonathan lead masterclasses at the Porto Music Academy while employed in the Remix Ensemble, and more recently has led sectionals and full band rehearsals for the British Association of Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles on their event days in Liverpool and the Lake District. Jonathan is a member of the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators, and has been engaged to judge Scouthead March Contest at Whit Friday for the last 4 years.

Job Titles:

• Conductor, Compere / MC, Cornet Soloist

Mark started playing the cornet aged 6 with his local band Ellenbrook and Boothstown before moving to the Walkden Band and then Besses Boys aged 13 where he stayed for 5 years on Principal Cornet. During this time Mark was also appointed Principal Cornet with the 'National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.' When he was 18 Mark joined the Wingates Band on Principal Cornet for 2 years before accepting Howard Snells offer to join the Britannia Building Society Band (now Foden's) on Principal Cornet in 1992. During this time he has been privileged to have won every major contest with Foden's including the British Open, National Finals, European Championships, Swiss, French and American Opens as well as numerous victories at the All England Masters Contest, Area Contest and Brass in Concert entertainment competitions. As well as performing in France, America, Holland, Belgium, Norway, Australia, Switzerland, Italy and Ireland as a soloist Mark is also heavily involved in Youth education. Mark enjoyed 3 years as the cornet tutor with the 'National Children's Brass Band of Great Britain' and has been an entrance examiner and cornet tutor with the 'National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain' since 2000. Mark has also appeared as a cornet tutor with the 'National Youth Brass Band of Wales' 'National Youth Band of Switzerland' as well as a guest soloist with the 'National Youth Brass Band of Denmark.' As well as being a founder member of the 'Northern Ireland Armagh Summer School' Mark is in demand on various summer schools in this country and abroad. In 2010 Mark was appointed as 'Visiting Cornet Tutor' at the Royal Northern College of Music, Cornet Tutor at the 'University of Salford' and Cornet/Trumpet Tutor at 'Manchester Metropolitan University.' In 2013 Mark released a Solo cd entitled 'Milestone' which received critical acclaim, designed and produced a range of cornet mouthpieces produced by 'Pickett Brass' and was appointed Band Manager of Foden's Band. Mark is in demand in this country and abroad as a cornet soloist, teacher, conductor and clinician. Mark is also in demand as an adjudicator and has adjudicated at a number of leading contests including various Area Contests, National Finals, Swiss and Belgium Nationals, Grand Shield, Pontins, Butlins and the All England International Masters. Mark was appointed on the 'Association of Brass Band Adjudicators' Executive Committee in January 2017 and became Chairperson of the Association in January 2018.

Job Titles:

• Director to the James Shepherd Versatile Brass
• NABBC Member

Martyn's musical career began at the age of 11 when he started learning to play the cornet at Mossley Hollins School and Dobcross Silver Band. After 3 years he successfully auditioned for a place in the National Youth Brass Band of GB. During his time playing with this group he was fortunate enough to play under the musical direction of some of the legends of brass banding including Sir Harry Mortimer, Eric Ball and Geoffrey Brand. After 4 years of study, Martyn graduated from Manchester University and began a successful career as a music teacher. In 1979 he joined the teaching staff at Oldham Council Music Centre, an organisation with which he stayed until his retirement in 2013 from his post as Deputy Director of Music. During the 34 years Martyn spent in Oldham he taught and inspired hundreds of pupils many of whom went on to pursue successful careers as a professional. Throughout his teaching career, Martyn continued to freelance as a player in Orchestras and Big Bands and as a conductor and player in brass bands which have included Glossop, Rochdale Wilsons, Mossley, Besses o' th' Barn, Leyland, Wingates and the City of Bradford. In 1996 he was invited to take up the baton with the newly reformed Ashton-Under-Lyne Brass Band. This partnership was to prove very successful. He led the band to numerous contest victories which included three consecutive North West Area Titles and three consecutive National Titles of Champion Band of Great Britain in 1997, 1998 and 1999. Since records began Martyn and the Ashton-under-Lyne Band are the only conductor and band to have won three consecutive National Titles in the Third, Second and First Sections. In late 2013 Martyn was appointed as Musical Director to the James Shepherd Versatile Brass. He was delighted and privileged to conduct this world famous group of talented musicians, fulfilling a busy schedule of concerts, recordings and tours until the group disbanded in December 2015. In addition to fulfilling a busy freelance schedule as a player, teacher, adjudicator and conductor, Martyn has recently taken over the baton again at Ashton Band, leading them to immediate success with a win in the 1st section at the North West Area Contest and a 3rd place in the Spring Festival and is looking forward to leading them to future success next year in the Grand Shield and Championship Section.

Job Titles:

• Conductor, Peripatetic Music Teacher, Lower Brass Specialist
• Director of the Newly Named Hammonds Saltaire Band

Morgan was born in Batley, West Yorkshire into a strong brass banding family. He was taught the cornet in his formative years by his father Edward Griffiths, himself a very successful brass band conductor. After only a short period on cornet, Morgan switched to Euphonium and studied with the legendary Black Dyke euphonium player and conductor Geoffrey Whitham, who was to have a major influence on Morgan's playing style. In January 1990, after a brief spell with the Hammonds Sauce Works Band, Morgan was the youngest player ever to be appointed principal euphonium of Black Dyke Mills Band where he established an international reputation as one of the finest euphonium players in the world. It was during this time that Morgan first came under the influence of the brilliant Australian conductor, and later mentor, Professor David King. Whilst at Black Dyke Morgan won two European titles (1990 and 1991) and was a principle soloist in their very successful tour of Japan. In 1992 he was invited to join the newly named Yorkshire Building Society Band, again working with David King. During this period Morgan became the most successful euphonium player of his generation, winning five European championships, three British Open titles, Three All England Masters Championships and a single English Nationals win along with several Yorkshire area championships. He also won two soloist awards at the Brass in Concert Championships. In 1999 Morgan was awarded the much coveted title of 'International Euphonium Player of the Year' and it was also the year that saw him record his debut solo CD titled 'The Voice of the Euphonium'.

Job Titles:

• Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator, Instrument Repairer - Brasstoff

Paul first learnt to play Euphonium under the guidance of his father Len Andrews, between 1972 and 1979. In that time, Paul sort help from the legendary Euphonium player Lyndon Baglin, a man that to this day has a major influence on Paul's teaching methods. He joined Roberts Bakery Band between 1979 and 1983, working with a colourful conductor who has given over 40 years to the same band, Colin Cranson. However, the lure of top flight banding was too much; particularly the persuasive skills of Richard Evans, a man that was to become a major influence on Paul's life and remains a close friend and motivator to this day. The time spent in Leyland Vehicles Band was the most rewarding as a player; playing in some of the finest auditoriums all over the world. CDs, Radio Broadcasts and television appearances seemed to be part of life's daily routine at that time. By the end of 1989, 6 fantastic years with Leyland and a Euphonium career of 17 years under his belt, Paul looked for new pastures to continue his thirst for ambitious projects, conducting seemed the natural progression. For the next 11 years, he was to learn his conducting trade from bands such as Bedford (Leigh) Band, City of Stoke, Besses o 'th' Barn and for 5 years enjoying an associate conductor's role at Carlton Main Band with his great friend John Hinckley. In September 2001, Paul together with one of his closest friends, Andy Dale, formed Wire Brass. Wire Brass started life in the 3rd section; however, it took them 5 years to become a Champion section band. Between 2001 and 2011 the band became the most progressive band in the world and solidified its position as one of the country's top bands when establishing its final world ranking position of a credible placing of 38th. Paul has found himself in great demand not only nationally but internationally. His forays to the other side of the world in Australia have been particularly successful with Brisbane Excelsior Band. Since becoming a conductor, Paul has more time now to dedicate himself to his passion of Professional Development. The 2012 Northwest Area 4th section Championships brought about a victory for Golborne Band, the band had not won a contest for 20 years and had never won the Northwest Area 4 section Championships in their history. The professional development programme put into place over an 8 week period, proved fruitful to the band. Outside of Paul's brass repair and sales business 'Brass Toff' that he established in 1983, he currently finds himself conducting the World Famous Wingates Band. Since joining the band in 2013 has already seen them rise to a respectable top 30 position in the world. With 17 years' experience as a player and 25 years to date conducting experience, Paul considers himself ideally positioned to offer help in many areas, from teaching, band training, conducting and ultimately adjudicating.

Job Titles:

• Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator, Arranger, Teacher and Publisher

Phillip hails from the South Cheshire town of Sandbach, home of the famous Foden's Band. Joining them in 1981 at the tender age of 14 he spent almost five years there, under Howard Snell, before securing a place at the Guildhall School of Music, where he studied trumpet with Paul Cosh and Rod Franks, and conducting with Alan Haseltine. After graduating from the Guildhall, he undertook freelance trumpet work before pursuing a career in publishing, firstly with Boosey & Hawkes and later with the Guinness Book of World Records. He then went on to spend 13 years at Faber Music as Sales & Marketing Director. Phillip left Faber in 2011 to set up Timbercroft Publishing and relocated his family and business to the Isle of Wight in the Summer of 2017. Whilst at the Guildhall, Phillip played for a number of bands in the London Area including Hanwell, Regent Brass and Redbridge, playing Principal Cornet in the latter two. He moved his banding ties back to the North West in 1993, signing for BNFL (Leyland) Band and went on to win the British Open under Richard Evans. He relinquished playing with Leyland in 1996, which is when he took up the baton. His first band was Brent Brass, with whom he won the Fourth Section National Championship Finals in 1997. After a spell with Luton Band and Regent Brass he accepted the position of Musical Director at Ware Brass in 2006, seeing them through steady promotion to the First Section, as well as making them one of the most successful concert-making bands in the Southern Counties. That happy relationship ended when Phillip moved to the Isle of Wight in the Summer of 2017. Phillip began adjudicating in the early 1990s, but sadly had to forfeit that responsibility whilst working as Director for Faber Music. He returned to adjudicating in 2012 and has recently adjudicated at both the London & Southern Counties and West of England Areas as well as Butlin's. Phillip is a member of AoBBA and also served on the AoBBA Executive from 2013-2017.

Job Titles:

• Conductor, Performer, Educator

Christopher Houlding's roots are in Brass Bands. A former member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, Chris toured Japan with the London Symphony Orchestra at the invitation of Denis Wick while still studying at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and became Principal Trombone of the Orchestra of Opera North at the age of 21. Having appeared as Guest Principal with most major UK Symphony orchestras, he continues to perform regularly with Superbrass, The Symphonic Brass of London, Philharmonia, Scottish Chamber, MusikFabrik and Mahler Chamber Orchestras.

Reading Spring Gardens Brass Band - Reading Festival of Brass: Open Workshop Rehearsal

Job Titles:

• Conductor, Adjudicator ( AoBBA ), Composer / Arranger, Cornet & Flugelhorn Soloist
• Eclipse Performance Artist

Originally from Reading, Berkshire, Sam grew up in Tavistock, Devon. His formative years were spent with the local town band, Stannary Brass Band (Tavistock), Bodmin Town Youth Band, City of Plymouth Wind Band and The Royal Naval Volunteer Band (Devonport). Sam moved to Barnsley in September 2000, where he studied music performance with Roger Webster and David Hirst. Having joined Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band almost immediately, Sam went on to play Cornet and Flugel Horn with Brighouse and Rastrick Band and Grimethorpe Colliery Band for a number of years, returning to CMFCB in 2009 where he remained until November 2018. Sam currently works as a performer, musical director and adjudicator, having also recently accepted a part-time role as Safeguarding Officer with Brass Bands England. His passion for brass banding continues to be the focus of much of his free time; however, more recently Sam has focused on developing a more varied professional network, allowing for opportunities to perform with a wider variety of ensembles. Sam is an Eclipse performance artist, using their instruments for his commercial work as a Flugelhorn and Trumpet player.

Job Titles:

• Conductor, Teacher, Adjudicator and Arranger

Sandy was born in Scotland and began his career with the Whitburn Band. Studying initially in Edinburgh he gained L.T.C.L. and L.L.C.M. teaching and performing diplomas and also became principal horn of the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland before moving to Yorkshire. In a playing career as principal horn with the Black Dyke, Fairey and Grimethorpe bands he has won 6 British Open, 4 National Championships, 8 European, 6 Brass in Concert, 2 All England Masters and 11 championship section Area titles. He also plays tenor horn and mellophonium in 'La Banda Europa', an orchestra of 35 diverse European instrumentalists and has also played with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra in works requiring tenor horn. Sandy is a prolific arranger for brass having had his work recorded and performed by all of the leading UK bands for many years. He has lectured on brass band scoring, arranging and the history and repertoire of the brass band at Huddersfield University. His brass teaching activities have encompassed every stage of musical education from primary school to university standard including the RNCM in Manchester and Leeds College of Music. He has taught on many brass band residential courses including the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, the Brass Band Summer School and the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland. He obtained his PGCE in 1994. Among the composers who have written works for him are Elgar Howarth, whose 'Horn Concerto' was premiered at the RNCM Festival of Brass in 2005 with the composer conducting the Grimethorpe band, John Golland, Peter Graham, Martin Ellerby, whose 'Tenor Horn Concerto' he premiered at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester in 1999 with the Williams Fairey Band, and Andrew Duncan, whose 'Gambade' received its premiere on the Grimethorpe tour of Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong in 2001. He studied conducting at Huddersfield Polytechnic and began conducting brass bands in the late 1980s. He was been resident conductor of both the Brighouse and Rastrick Band and the Grimethorpe Colliery Band and has guested with many other bands. Sandy was the brass orchestrator for the 'Pandemonium' and Olympic Anthem sections of the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics and has worked as both arranger and conductor on collaborative projects with artists such as folk group The Unthanks, jazz trumpeter Matt Halsall, folk singer Kate Rusby and singer songwriter and synthesizer player Hannah Peel. He is in increasing demand as an adjudicator at both national and local contests and is a vocal advocate for maintaining and promoting high quality repertoire as a key element in improving the standards of all bands, whether in the contest arena or on the concert platform. He is co-founder and musical director of Tubular Brass and has arranged Mike Oldfield's seminal work 'Tubular Bells' for brass which has toured major venues and music festivals including Womad, Bluedot and the Edinburgh Festival fringe.

Job Titles:

• Conductor, Adjudicator, Compere, Actor

Sarah Groarke-Booth studied music at University of Salford, gaining a BA (Hons) in Band Musicianship and a Masters Degree in Performance (specialising in conducting). As a conductor, she has worked with many ensembles including wind bands, brass ensembles and choirs. Her association with brass bands over the past twenty years has led her to direct bands in Wales, Bristol, London and the North West of England. She has had many contest successes, including winning Regional and National titles. Following her musical studies and working as a brass tutor and conductor she attended the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School to train as an actor. Since then, she has performed in theatres throughout the country and appeared in various television programmes. She is also an experienced Compere and Voiceover artist and has worked as a Musical Director on a number of stage shows. As a member and PRO of the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators, Sarah is regularly engaged as an adjudicator at contests throughout the country and she still finds time to fit in some trumpet playing.

Job Titles:

• Conductor, Adjudicator, Tutor, Tuba Specialist