The majority of NABBSS tuition staff are provided with the generous support of principal sponsor, Buffet Crampon.
The Musical Director is Dr Robert Childs who leads our highly experienced and well-respected tutorial faculty.
Detailed information and videos of each 2018 staff member can be found below.
The Musical Director is Dr Robert Childs who leads our highly experienced and well-respected tutorial faculty.
Detailed information and videos of each 2018 staff member can be found below.
C. Jim Forde President
Jim Forde was born in Vancouver, BC and raised in the Lower Mainland. He began his musical career in the Surrey Schools Concert Band under the direction of Don Murray. In 1964, he joined the Royal Canadian Navy and during a 30 year career in the Canadian Forces Band Branch, Jim was a tuba player, drum major, public relations officer, instrumental instructor and training officer at the Canadian Forces School of Music. Between 1988 and 1993 he was Director of Music and Commanding Officer of the Stadacona Band in Halifax, NS.
From 1998 to 2006 Jim acted as Managing Director of the Canadian Band Association’s National Youth Band of Canada. He is a Past-President of both the Canadian and Nova Scotia Band Associations and a member of Scotia Brass, and is the longstanding Principal Conductor of the Sackville Community Band.
For many years Jim held the position of Production Coordinator for The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, later rising to become Producer of the show until his retirement following the incredibly successful Canada 150 Production in 2017.
In 2000, Jim was awarded the Nova Scotia Music Educator’s Musica Viva Award, in 2005, a Life Membership in the Nova Scotia Band Association and in 2007, the Canadian Band Association’s National Band Award. He continues to enjoy a busy career as an international adjudicator and remains actively involved with the RNSIT in the new role of Music Consultant.
From 1998 to 2006 Jim acted as Managing Director of the Canadian Band Association’s National Youth Band of Canada. He is a Past-President of both the Canadian and Nova Scotia Band Associations and a member of Scotia Brass, and is the longstanding Principal Conductor of the Sackville Community Band.
For many years Jim held the position of Production Coordinator for The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, later rising to become Producer of the show until his retirement following the incredibly successful Canada 150 Production in 2017.
In 2000, Jim was awarded the Nova Scotia Music Educator’s Musica Viva Award, in 2005, a Life Membership in the Nova Scotia Band Association and in 2007, the Canadian Band Association’s National Band Award. He continues to enjoy a busy career as an international adjudicator and remains actively involved with the RNSIT in the new role of Music Consultant.
Dr Robert Childs Musical Director
Dr. Robert Childs returns to NABBSS to direct our 2018, 5th anniversary course. He is a leading figure in the world of brass music, and for over thirty years has performed at the highest level, giving solo performances in many of the world's most prestigious venues.
He has given masterclasses throughout Europe's finest conservatoires and is now recognised as a leading education specialist within his field. During 2000 Robert relinquished his enviable position as principal euphonium and bandmaster with Black Dyke Band in order to become Principal Conductor and Music Director of Cory Band, the Principality's premier brass band. Robert's success with Cory was unprecedented and, having returned to his homeland of Wales, he became Director of Brass Band Studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music, Musical Director of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales and Managing Director of Performing Arts Education.
In 2002 Robert was awarded a Doctorate in Musical Arts from the University of Salford and is also an Associate of The Royal College of Music and Fellow of The London College of Music. Robert gained a Masters Degree with distinction from University of Leeds, holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from the Open University and in 2007 his remarkable achievements were recognized by the Worshipful Company of Musicians when he was awarded the prestigious Iles Medal.
During Robert's tenure with Cory, the band won the World Brass Band Championships, National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, Brass in Concert Championship, British Open Championships (five times), European Brass Band Championships (twice), Welsh Regional Championships (nine times) and led the Band to the No.1 position in the official World Rankings.
In 2008 Robert was given ‘Freedom of the City of London' and also received the prestigious John Edwards Memorial Award by the Welsh Music Guild for outstanding contribution to Welsh Music.
In August 2012, Robert rejoined the Black Dyke Band, as Principal Guest Conductor, and was then appointed as Associate Director of Music in January 2013. In October 2013 Dr Childs relinquished his position at Black Dyke, taking up a guest conducting position with the famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band for the 2013 National Championships of Great Britain at the Royal Albert Hall. Robert was then officially appointed Principal Conductor and Director of Music at Grimethorpe in January 2014, a position he held for a very enjoyable three years before relinquishing the post to relocate once again back to his native South Wales in September 2016.
During his tenure at Grimethorpe, Dr. Childs led the band to a record breaking 16th victory at the international Brass In Concert Championships at The Sage, Gateshead in November 2014, on a nationwide tour of Australia in August 2015, and in September 2015 to their fifth (and his sixth) British Open Championships title at Symphony Hall, Birmingham.
Dr Childs is now Musical Director of current West of England Champions Woodfalls Band and looks forward to numerous additional successes and continuing his work as a conductor, adjudicator and educator throughout the world of brass.
Robert Childs is a Besson artist. For further information on Dr. Childs and his activities, visit www.robertchilds.co.uk
He has given masterclasses throughout Europe's finest conservatoires and is now recognised as a leading education specialist within his field. During 2000 Robert relinquished his enviable position as principal euphonium and bandmaster with Black Dyke Band in order to become Principal Conductor and Music Director of Cory Band, the Principality's premier brass band. Robert's success with Cory was unprecedented and, having returned to his homeland of Wales, he became Director of Brass Band Studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music, Musical Director of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales and Managing Director of Performing Arts Education.
In 2002 Robert was awarded a Doctorate in Musical Arts from the University of Salford and is also an Associate of The Royal College of Music and Fellow of The London College of Music. Robert gained a Masters Degree with distinction from University of Leeds, holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from the Open University and in 2007 his remarkable achievements were recognized by the Worshipful Company of Musicians when he was awarded the prestigious Iles Medal.
During Robert's tenure with Cory, the band won the World Brass Band Championships, National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, Brass in Concert Championship, British Open Championships (five times), European Brass Band Championships (twice), Welsh Regional Championships (nine times) and led the Band to the No.1 position in the official World Rankings.
In 2008 Robert was given ‘Freedom of the City of London' and also received the prestigious John Edwards Memorial Award by the Welsh Music Guild for outstanding contribution to Welsh Music.
In August 2012, Robert rejoined the Black Dyke Band, as Principal Guest Conductor, and was then appointed as Associate Director of Music in January 2013. In October 2013 Dr Childs relinquished his position at Black Dyke, taking up a guest conducting position with the famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band for the 2013 National Championships of Great Britain at the Royal Albert Hall. Robert was then officially appointed Principal Conductor and Director of Music at Grimethorpe in January 2014, a position he held for a very enjoyable three years before relinquishing the post to relocate once again back to his native South Wales in September 2016.
During his tenure at Grimethorpe, Dr. Childs led the band to a record breaking 16th victory at the international Brass In Concert Championships at The Sage, Gateshead in November 2014, on a nationwide tour of Australia in August 2015, and in September 2015 to their fifth (and his sixth) British Open Championships title at Symphony Hall, Birmingham.
Dr Childs is now Musical Director of current West of England Champions Woodfalls Band and looks forward to numerous additional successes and continuing his work as a conductor, adjudicator and educator throughout the world of brass.
Robert Childs is a Besson artist. For further information on Dr. Childs and his activities, visit www.robertchilds.co.uk
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David Childs Senior Tutor
King Edward III once said: "If you want to train a longbowman, start with his grandfather." This adage holds just as true for British euphonium soloist David Childs, born in 1981, to a family whose name had been synonymous with brass for the last two generations. His grandfather John was a well-respected euphonium player from the Welsh Valleys who inspired his sons, Robert & Nicholas to take up euphonium. Robert began teaching his son David from an early age and in recent years David has emerged as one of the finest brass soloists of his generation.
In the year 2000 he broke new ground for the euphonium becoming the first euphonium soloist to win the brass final of the televised 'BBC Young Musician of the Year’ which led to David’s highly acclaimed première performance of Philip Wilby’s Concerto for Euphonium with the BBC Philharmonic under Yan Pascal Totelier. In the same year David was awarded the coveted ‘Euphonium Player of the Year’ title, a title he won again in 2004 and still holds today. Since that time David has been instrumental in raising the euphonium’s profile in the classical world of music and has not ceased to wow audiences with his astonishing technique, extrovert musicality and engaging stage presence.
Still in the early stages of his career, David has already toured extensively performing as a soloist in Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, Japan, Hong Kong, Europe and the U.S.A. He is a keen advocate of new music and has premièred ten concerti 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 Karl Jenkins’ Concerto for Euphonium & Orchestra, and a UK première of Christian Lindberg’s Concerto for Euphonium & Orchestra directed by the composer. He has also been featured in the Classic fm, Gramophone, Classical Music, and MUSO magazines.
David has appeared as soloist with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Royal Philharmonic, BBC Concert Orchestra, Sinfonia Cymru, DCINY Symphony and BBC Philharmonic; made solo appearances at the Singapore International Festival, Welsh Proms, Harrogate International Festival, Cheltenham Festival, Melbourne International Festival, BBC Proms and New York Festival; performed solo recitals at the Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room and Bridgewater Hall; given Concerto performances at the Concertgebouw, Carnegie Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Symphony Hall, New York’s Lincoln Center and London’s Royal Albert Hall; and regularly records as a solo artist for radio, television and commercial disc.
Having already achieved a great deal as a euphonium soloist David has received many awards in recognition: a Silver Medal from the Worshipful Company of Musicians; a Star Award from the Countess of Munster; the Musicians Benevolent’ Sir Charles Leggett Award; the Welsh Music Guild’s Leo Abse & Cohen Award; the BBC Radio Wales Soloist Award and the Harry Mortimer Award for Outstanding Achievement amongst others. Having studied at both the Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal Welsh College of Music David is now an Associate of the Royal College of Music London; a Professor at both the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, and the Birmingham Conservatoire; an Artist for the Buffet Group Besson, Alliance and Reunion Blues; and a Director of Prima Vista Musikk publishing.
A proud product of the British brass band movement David has performed with many of the world’s premiere brass bands including Brighouse & Rastrick, Black Dyke and Cory with whom he was principal euphonium for 10 years. He is a founder member of the highly successful brass quartet Eminence Brass and Artistic Director of Wales’ premiere wind orchestra Cardiff Symphonic Winds.
David is undoubtedly leading the way for euphonium players worldwide. Through his own performances he continues to showcase the euphonium as a serious solo vehicle within the world of classical music. His latest album, The Symphonic Euphonium with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Bramwell Tovey, featuring four concerti by Hoddinott, Horovitz, Jenkins and Wilby has recently been released, to great acclaim, on the prestigious Chandos label.
Further information on David and his activities can be found at www.davechilds.com
In the year 2000 he broke new ground for the euphonium becoming the first euphonium soloist to win the brass final of the televised 'BBC Young Musician of the Year’ which led to David’s highly acclaimed première performance of Philip Wilby’s Concerto for Euphonium with the BBC Philharmonic under Yan Pascal Totelier. In the same year David was awarded the coveted ‘Euphonium Player of the Year’ title, a title he won again in 2004 and still holds today. Since that time David has been instrumental in raising the euphonium’s profile in the classical world of music and has not ceased to wow audiences with his astonishing technique, extrovert musicality and engaging stage presence.
Still in the early stages of his career, David has already toured extensively performing as a soloist in Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, Japan, Hong Kong, Europe and the U.S.A. He is a keen advocate of new music and has premièred ten concerti 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 Karl Jenkins’ Concerto for Euphonium & Orchestra, and a UK première of Christian Lindberg’s Concerto for Euphonium & Orchestra directed by the composer. He has also been featured in the Classic fm, Gramophone, Classical Music, and MUSO magazines.
David has appeared as soloist with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Royal Philharmonic, BBC Concert Orchestra, Sinfonia Cymru, DCINY Symphony and BBC Philharmonic; made solo appearances at the Singapore International Festival, Welsh Proms, Harrogate International Festival, Cheltenham Festival, Melbourne International Festival, BBC Proms and New York Festival; performed solo recitals at the Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room and Bridgewater Hall; given Concerto performances at the Concertgebouw, Carnegie Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Symphony Hall, New York’s Lincoln Center and London’s Royal Albert Hall; and regularly records as a solo artist for radio, television and commercial disc.
Having already achieved a great deal as a euphonium soloist David has received many awards in recognition: a Silver Medal from the Worshipful Company of Musicians; a Star Award from the Countess of Munster; the Musicians Benevolent’ Sir Charles Leggett Award; the Welsh Music Guild’s Leo Abse & Cohen Award; the BBC Radio Wales Soloist Award and the Harry Mortimer Award for Outstanding Achievement amongst others. Having studied at both the Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal Welsh College of Music David is now an Associate of the Royal College of Music London; a Professor at both the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, and the Birmingham Conservatoire; an Artist for the Buffet Group Besson, Alliance and Reunion Blues; and a Director of Prima Vista Musikk publishing.
A proud product of the British brass band movement David has performed with many of the world’s premiere brass bands including Brighouse & Rastrick, Black Dyke and Cory with whom he was principal euphonium for 10 years. He is a founder member of the highly successful brass quartet Eminence Brass and Artistic Director of Wales’ premiere wind orchestra Cardiff Symphonic Winds.
David is undoubtedly leading the way for euphonium players worldwide. Through his own performances he continues to showcase the euphonium as a serious solo vehicle within the world of classical music. His latest album, The Symphonic Euphonium with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Bramwell Tovey, featuring four concerti by Hoddinott, Horovitz, Jenkins and Wilby has recently been released, to great acclaim, on the prestigious Chandos label.
Further information on David and his activities can be found at www.davechilds.com
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Tom Hutchinson Cornet
Principal cornet of the world's number one brass band Cory, Tom Hutchinson began learning the cornet at the age of nine. He first joined his local brass band Stannington, before transferring to Barnsley Building Society Band in his early teens where he quickly ascended to the position of principal cornet. Aged just fifteen years old, Tom then took up his first principal cornet seat in a championship section band when he joined Rothwell Temperance.
During his formative years, Tom also played solo cornet with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, including two courses as Leader. It was the Band’s Associate Conductor, Dr Nicholas Childs who noticed his talent and invited him to join the world famous Black Dyke Band.
Tom initially played repiano cornet at Black Dyke, before at the age of eighteen, he was promoted to tutti solo cornet. Tom played with Black Dyke for four years, contributing to numerous contest successes including the British Open, English National and National Championship of Great Britain titles. During his tenure at Black Dyke, Tom also toured extensively across the United Kingdom, Europe and Australasia.
After graduating from university, Tom was invited by Dr Robert Childs to join the world number one brass band, and reigning British Open, European, and World Champion, Cory, on principal cornet. After leading the band in his first year to its hat-trick winning European title in 2010 and Welsh Regional title in 2011, he has since lead Cory to a British Open Championships title in 2011 - where he also claimed the best soloist prize - further Welsh Regional Championships titles in 2012 and 2014; Brass in Concert Championship wins in 2012 and 2013; the European Championships title once again in 2013; and a National Championships of Great Britain win later that same year at the Royal Albert Hall. A particular highlight for Tom during his time with Cory was receiving the Player of the Year award, voted for by the other members of Cory in 2012.
After touring Australia again in 2013 with the Cory Band, Tom was invited by the Buffet Group and Besson to undertake a series of workshops, master classes and concerts across New Zealand, and continues to represent the instrument manufacturer globally.
As well as playing principal cornet with the Cory Band, Tom is a Professor of Cornet at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cornet Tutor to the National Youth Brass Band of Wales and Project Manager of the Cory Band's youth outreach initiative the Cory Academy.
During his formative years, Tom also played solo cornet with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, including two courses as Leader. It was the Band’s Associate Conductor, Dr Nicholas Childs who noticed his talent and invited him to join the world famous Black Dyke Band.
Tom initially played repiano cornet at Black Dyke, before at the age of eighteen, he was promoted to tutti solo cornet. Tom played with Black Dyke for four years, contributing to numerous contest successes including the British Open, English National and National Championship of Great Britain titles. During his tenure at Black Dyke, Tom also toured extensively across the United Kingdom, Europe and Australasia.
After graduating from university, Tom was invited by Dr Robert Childs to join the world number one brass band, and reigning British Open, European, and World Champion, Cory, on principal cornet. After leading the band in his first year to its hat-trick winning European title in 2010 and Welsh Regional title in 2011, he has since lead Cory to a British Open Championships title in 2011 - where he also claimed the best soloist prize - further Welsh Regional Championships titles in 2012 and 2014; Brass in Concert Championship wins in 2012 and 2013; the European Championships title once again in 2013; and a National Championships of Great Britain win later that same year at the Royal Albert Hall. A particular highlight for Tom during his time with Cory was receiving the Player of the Year award, voted for by the other members of Cory in 2012.
After touring Australia again in 2013 with the Cory Band, Tom was invited by the Buffet Group and Besson to undertake a series of workshops, master classes and concerts across New Zealand, and continues to represent the instrument manufacturer globally.
As well as playing principal cornet with the Cory Band, Tom is a Professor of Cornet at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cornet Tutor to the National Youth Brass Band of Wales and Project Manager of the Cory Band's youth outreach initiative the Cory Academy.
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Dr. Bryan Appleby-Wineberg Trumpet / Cornet
Dr. Bryan K. Appleby-Wineberg is Associate Professor of Trumpet and Head of Brass at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey, USA where he teaches Studio Trumpet and Trumpet Class for Music Education majors, and plays with the Faculty Brass Quintet.
For the 2009-2010 academic year, Bryan and his family were on sabbatical in the United Kingdom, where Bryan played solo cornet with the world famous Brighouse & Rastrick Band as well as The Lindley Band in West Yorkshire.
Bryan is currently Principal Trumpet of the Bay-Atlantic Symphony, Principal Cornet/Assistant Conductor of the Atlantic Brass Band (current North American & U.S. Open Champions and Ensemble-in-Residence at Rowan University), and a founding member of the professional trumpet sextet Tromba Mundi.
He has performed with many ensembles including the Cleveland Orchestra, The Jupiter Symphony (NYC), The Indianapolis Symphony, the Jeunesses Musicales World Orchestra, The Kent Blossom Festival and Manhattan Chamber Orchestras, the DaCappo Opera Theater (NYC), The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, The Riverside Symphonia, The Opera Company of Philadelphia, The Pennsylvania Ballet, The Delaware Symphony, and as a guest with the Kent Blossom Festival Alumni Orchestra under the direction of Leonard Slatkin.
Prior to moving to New Jersey for graduate school, Bryan was Principal Trumpet of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra in Evansville, Indiana for three seasons and was Assistant Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of Evansville.
He holds degrees from The Oberlin Conservatory of Music (B.M in Trumpet and Music Education) where he studied with Anthony Plog, Jean Moorhead Libbs, and Cleveland Orchestra member, Charles Couch; The Cleveland Institute of Music (M.M. in Trumpet) where studied with James Darling of the Cleveland Orchestra, did additional work with Cleveland Orchestra members Michael Sachs and David Zauder, and was awarded the 1994 Bernard Adelstine Prize in Trumpet; and The Mason Gross School of The Arts at Rutgers University (D.M.A. in Trumpet) where he studied with Peter Bond of The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Bryan grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan and spent 4 summers studying with Armando Ghitalla at The University of Michigan.
For the 2009-2010 academic year, Bryan and his family were on sabbatical in the United Kingdom, where Bryan played solo cornet with the world famous Brighouse & Rastrick Band as well as The Lindley Band in West Yorkshire.
Bryan is currently Principal Trumpet of the Bay-Atlantic Symphony, Principal Cornet/Assistant Conductor of the Atlantic Brass Band (current North American & U.S. Open Champions and Ensemble-in-Residence at Rowan University), and a founding member of the professional trumpet sextet Tromba Mundi.
He has performed with many ensembles including the Cleveland Orchestra, The Jupiter Symphony (NYC), The Indianapolis Symphony, the Jeunesses Musicales World Orchestra, The Kent Blossom Festival and Manhattan Chamber Orchestras, the DaCappo Opera Theater (NYC), The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, The Riverside Symphonia, The Opera Company of Philadelphia, The Pennsylvania Ballet, The Delaware Symphony, and as a guest with the Kent Blossom Festival Alumni Orchestra under the direction of Leonard Slatkin.
Prior to moving to New Jersey for graduate school, Bryan was Principal Trumpet of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra in Evansville, Indiana for three seasons and was Assistant Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of Evansville.
He holds degrees from The Oberlin Conservatory of Music (B.M in Trumpet and Music Education) where he studied with Anthony Plog, Jean Moorhead Libbs, and Cleveland Orchestra member, Charles Couch; The Cleveland Institute of Music (M.M. in Trumpet) where studied with James Darling of the Cleveland Orchestra, did additional work with Cleveland Orchestra members Michael Sachs and David Zauder, and was awarded the 1994 Bernard Adelstine Prize in Trumpet; and The Mason Gross School of The Arts at Rutgers University (D.M.A. in Trumpet) where he studied with Peter Bond of The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Bryan grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan and spent 4 summers studying with Armando Ghitalla at The University of Michigan.
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Emily Evans Tenor Horn
Originally from Camborne, England, Emily currently lives in Wales where she began her studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) in 2014. Just three years later Emily was presented with the coveted Harry Mortimer Award at the 2017 British Open Championships in Symphony Hall.
A former Principal Solo Horn of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB) and the National Children's Brass Band of Great Britain, Emily is now Solo Horn of the Flowers Band, having previously played Solo Horn with the Tongwynlais Temperance Band and the Lanner & District Silver Band.
Whilst studying at the RWCMD, Emily won the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble Competition (2016 and 2017), the McGrenery Chamber Prize (2017) and also reached the 2017 final of the prestigious Linda Mowatt solo competition.
Emily is making a name for herself as one of the brass world’s bright young stars and NABBSS is delighted to welcome her to this year’s tutorial team. Learn more about Emily Evans here.
A former Principal Solo Horn of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB) and the National Children's Brass Band of Great Britain, Emily is now Solo Horn of the Flowers Band, having previously played Solo Horn with the Tongwynlais Temperance Band and the Lanner & District Silver Band.
Whilst studying at the RWCMD, Emily won the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble Competition (2016 and 2017), the McGrenery Chamber Prize (2017) and also reached the 2017 final of the prestigious Linda Mowatt solo competition.
Emily is making a name for herself as one of the brass world’s bright young stars and NABBSS is delighted to welcome her to this year’s tutorial team. Learn more about Emily Evans here.
Dr. Brett Baker Trombone
“The name Brett Baker has become an established, household name in the world of brass, not least for the level of commitment and focus that this outstanding musician has given to his craft.” - Professor David King
Englishman and Rath Trombone Artist, Brett Baker, is viewed internationally as a leading brass performer and educator; he is passionate about encouraging composers to write pioneering new repertoire for trombone having commissioned over 100 compositions for the instrument. Brett is Programme Leader for Musical Arts at the University of Salford (Manchester), an ambassador for Michael Rath Brass Instruments, Principal Trombone of the famous Black Dyke Band, Course Director of Bolsover Summer School as well as Festival Director for both the Singapore and Thailand Low Brass Festivals. He is Chairman of the Awards Committee for the International Trombone Association and a Past-President of the British Trombone Society.
Brett has performed with singers such as Alison Goldfrapp and Hayley Westenra and other world class trombone soloists including; Ian Bousfield, Alison Balsom, Wycliffe Gordon, Christian Lindberg and Joseph Alessi. He is currently the most recorded trombone soloist in his genre, having played on numerous radio and TV broadcasts. Brett’s area of research includes trombone solo repertoire, modular instrument design and performance psychology. Brett has produced over 30 solo CDs, 8 under his own label of White River Evocations, whilst playing as guest soloist on over 40 CDs. He has three sheet music solo albums and has arranged a number of solos for trombone and piano.
Originally from the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, Brett was introduced to the trombone by his father. Brett studied Business Economics at Salford University, simultaneously joining the Fairey Brass Band under Major Peter Parkes. At Fairey’s Brett’s reputation as one of the finest players of his generation was firmly established, he became British Open Trombone Solo Champion from 1993-5, studying with Professor David King. Brett’s first solo recording "Bone Idyll" accompanied by Fairey’s and released in 1996 gained much critical acclaim, his adviser at this time being Denis Wick.
In 2000 Brett joined the Black Dyke Band under the Direction of Dr. Nicholas Childs where he played on over 100 CD’s, highlights included overseas trips to the USA, Bermuda and Australia. Over a 25 year period Brett has won many competitions including Brass in Concert as the featured soloist, the Grand Shield, the All England Masters and Australian ‘Nationals’ twice, the Europeans three times, the Yorkshire Area, British Open Championships and English Nationals four times and finally the National Championships of Great Britain five times.
Pursuing a hectic playing schedule Brett enjoys presenting workshops specialising in solo performance. He has been guest trombone tutor on Star Lake Music camp near New York, the National Youth Band of Great Britain, and the Swiss National Youth Band. He is currently trombone tutor of the National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain, Dartington International Summer School and the International Brass Band Summer School in Swansea. As a consultant Brett has worked with Michael Rath Musical Instruments for 10 years on instrument design and has assisted in production of a signature mouthpiece.
As a conductor Brett has associations with many bands in the North of England, he has achieved contest success with Northop, Ratby and Longridge bands, and conducted Tongwynlais Temperance at the National Finals of Great Britain in 2014. He is a regular conductor of the Salford University Brass and Wind Band, and has guest conducted the Leyland Band, the Brass Band at the Royal College of Music, Thorsby Colliery and Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Bands. As an adjudicator Brett has judged many competitions and festivals including the International Trombone Festival in the USA, and the National Solo Championships in Switzerland. In the brass band arena he has adjudicated at many association contests and the National Finals in the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand as well as numerous Regional Area Championships.
NABBSS are delighted to be welcoming Brett to the NABBSS tutorial team for the first time in 2018.
Englishman and Rath Trombone Artist, Brett Baker, is viewed internationally as a leading brass performer and educator; he is passionate about encouraging composers to write pioneering new repertoire for trombone having commissioned over 100 compositions for the instrument. Brett is Programme Leader for Musical Arts at the University of Salford (Manchester), an ambassador for Michael Rath Brass Instruments, Principal Trombone of the famous Black Dyke Band, Course Director of Bolsover Summer School as well as Festival Director for both the Singapore and Thailand Low Brass Festivals. He is Chairman of the Awards Committee for the International Trombone Association and a Past-President of the British Trombone Society.
Brett has performed with singers such as Alison Goldfrapp and Hayley Westenra and other world class trombone soloists including; Ian Bousfield, Alison Balsom, Wycliffe Gordon, Christian Lindberg and Joseph Alessi. He is currently the most recorded trombone soloist in his genre, having played on numerous radio and TV broadcasts. Brett’s area of research includes trombone solo repertoire, modular instrument design and performance psychology. Brett has produced over 30 solo CDs, 8 under his own label of White River Evocations, whilst playing as guest soloist on over 40 CDs. He has three sheet music solo albums and has arranged a number of solos for trombone and piano.
Originally from the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, Brett was introduced to the trombone by his father. Brett studied Business Economics at Salford University, simultaneously joining the Fairey Brass Band under Major Peter Parkes. At Fairey’s Brett’s reputation as one of the finest players of his generation was firmly established, he became British Open Trombone Solo Champion from 1993-5, studying with Professor David King. Brett’s first solo recording "Bone Idyll" accompanied by Fairey’s and released in 1996 gained much critical acclaim, his adviser at this time being Denis Wick.
In 2000 Brett joined the Black Dyke Band under the Direction of Dr. Nicholas Childs where he played on over 100 CD’s, highlights included overseas trips to the USA, Bermuda and Australia. Over a 25 year period Brett has won many competitions including Brass in Concert as the featured soloist, the Grand Shield, the All England Masters and Australian ‘Nationals’ twice, the Europeans three times, the Yorkshire Area, British Open Championships and English Nationals four times and finally the National Championships of Great Britain five times.
Pursuing a hectic playing schedule Brett enjoys presenting workshops specialising in solo performance. He has been guest trombone tutor on Star Lake Music camp near New York, the National Youth Band of Great Britain, and the Swiss National Youth Band. He is currently trombone tutor of the National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain, Dartington International Summer School and the International Brass Band Summer School in Swansea. As a consultant Brett has worked with Michael Rath Musical Instruments for 10 years on instrument design and has assisted in production of a signature mouthpiece.
As a conductor Brett has associations with many bands in the North of England, he has achieved contest success with Northop, Ratby and Longridge bands, and conducted Tongwynlais Temperance at the National Finals of Great Britain in 2014. He is a regular conductor of the Salford University Brass and Wind Band, and has guest conducted the Leyland Band, the Brass Band at the Royal College of Music, Thorsby Colliery and Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Bands. As an adjudicator Brett has judged many competitions and festivals including the International Trombone Festival in the USA, and the National Solo Championships in Switzerland. In the brass band arena he has adjudicated at many association contests and the National Finals in the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand as well as numerous Regional Area Championships.
NABBSS are delighted to be welcoming Brett to the NABBSS tutorial team for the first time in 2018.
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Lee Harrelson Euphonium / Baritone
Lee Harrelson is an Associate Professor of Music at Missouri Western State University. At Missouri Western he serves as the Chair of the Department of Music, coordinator of the music theory program and instructor of low brass and chamber music. Dr. Harrelson attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where he studied music education and music performance before completing his masters and doctorate at the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Conservatory of Music and Dance.
Dr. Harrelson is the founder of the Fountain City Brass Band and currently serves as its artistic director and principal euphoniumist. The Fountain City Brass Band (FCBB) is one of America’s premiere brass and percussion ensembles and has been featured throughout the U.S. and Europe in concerts and competitions. The FCBB is currently the top ranked brass band in the United States. Under Dr. Harrelson’s artistic leadership the band has won six North American Brass Band Association Championships, eight U.S. Open Brass Band Championships and one Scottish Open Brass Band Championship since it began competing in 2004. At the 2011 All England International Brass Band Competition, as a member of the FCBB, Lee was named Best Instrumentalist; a first for an American at an English brass band competition. During his tenure the FCBB has produced four commercial recordings, performed with countless world-class soloists and developed a youth brass program, the Fountain City Youth Brass Academy, that serves over 100 students per year.
Dr. Harrelson can be heard on numerous commercially released recordings and has appeared throughout North America and Europe as a clinician, soloist and chamber musician. Lee Harrelson is a Buffet Group / Besson Performing Artist.
Dr. Harrelson is the founder of the Fountain City Brass Band and currently serves as its artistic director and principal euphoniumist. The Fountain City Brass Band (FCBB) is one of America’s premiere brass and percussion ensembles and has been featured throughout the U.S. and Europe in concerts and competitions. The FCBB is currently the top ranked brass band in the United States. Under Dr. Harrelson’s artistic leadership the band has won six North American Brass Band Association Championships, eight U.S. Open Brass Band Championships and one Scottish Open Brass Band Championship since it began competing in 2004. At the 2011 All England International Brass Band Competition, as a member of the FCBB, Lee was named Best Instrumentalist; a first for an American at an English brass band competition. During his tenure the FCBB has produced four commercial recordings, performed with countless world-class soloists and developed a youth brass program, the Fountain City Youth Brass Academy, that serves over 100 students per year.
Dr. Harrelson can be heard on numerous commercially released recordings and has appeared throughout North America and Europe as a clinician, soloist and chamber musician. Lee Harrelson is a Buffet Group / Besson Performing Artist.
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Dr. Scott Watson Tuba
Scott
Watson is now in his 35th year at the University of Kansas, an
association that dates back to 1979. His solo efforts can be heard on
both his “Stepping Stones, Volume I on Potenza Records", as well as on
the Kansas Brass Quintet CD titled "Rare Breeds & Dog-Eared
Classics.” His solo CD titled “Thoughts of a Cow” was released in
January 2010.
Watson is known throughout the country as a master teacher, having legions of former students holding major positions in the top military bands, college-university positions, and prestigious public school positions across the country. Scott was elected and served as President of the International Tuba Euphonium Association from 1999-2001 and currently serves on their Board of Directors as Past President. As Professor of Tuba-Euphonium at the University of Kansas he is an acclaimed soloist, clinician, and chamber musician. Scott has concertized all over the world with composers such as James Barnes, Walter Hartley, Elliot Schwartz, Igor Rekhin, and Charles Hoag all composing works especially for his talents. In 2009, Scott will release a second Solo CD on Potenza Records of serious solo repertoire for the tuba.
Scott regularly performs with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, is a member of the Infinity Brass Quintet of the Martha's Vineyard Chamber Music Festival, the Kansas City Brassworks, and the North American and US Open champions Fountain City Brass Band of Kansas City where he is Principal Contrabass Tuba. Along with Winston Morris he is Co-Artistic Director of one of music's most unusual ensemble-the acclaimed tuba-euphonium chamber orchestra SYMPHONIA, which has released three recordings on Mark Records. His career has seen performances with such groups and individuals as the Brevard Music Center Festival Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, Kansas City Symphony Brass Quintet, the Crested Butte Music Festival Orchestra, Dizzy Gillespie, the Jack Daniels Silver Cornet Band, the Chestnut Brass Company, the New American Tuba Quartet, in addition to countless shows, performances and other free lance work.
Scott is also on the faculty of the Midwestern Music Academy each summer and has served on the faculties of the Brevard Music Center, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and Baker University. At KU he is the proud director of the KU Tuba-Euphonium Consort. Scott Watson is an Artist/Clinician for Besson Tubas.
Watson is known throughout the country as a master teacher, having legions of former students holding major positions in the top military bands, college-university positions, and prestigious public school positions across the country. Scott was elected and served as President of the International Tuba Euphonium Association from 1999-2001 and currently serves on their Board of Directors as Past President. As Professor of Tuba-Euphonium at the University of Kansas he is an acclaimed soloist, clinician, and chamber musician. Scott has concertized all over the world with composers such as James Barnes, Walter Hartley, Elliot Schwartz, Igor Rekhin, and Charles Hoag all composing works especially for his talents. In 2009, Scott will release a second Solo CD on Potenza Records of serious solo repertoire for the tuba.
Scott regularly performs with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, is a member of the Infinity Brass Quintet of the Martha's Vineyard Chamber Music Festival, the Kansas City Brassworks, and the North American and US Open champions Fountain City Brass Band of Kansas City where he is Principal Contrabass Tuba. Along with Winston Morris he is Co-Artistic Director of one of music's most unusual ensemble-the acclaimed tuba-euphonium chamber orchestra SYMPHONIA, which has released three recordings on Mark Records. His career has seen performances with such groups and individuals as the Brevard Music Center Festival Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, Kansas City Symphony Brass Quintet, the Crested Butte Music Festival Orchestra, Dizzy Gillespie, the Jack Daniels Silver Cornet Band, the Chestnut Brass Company, the New American Tuba Quartet, in addition to countless shows, performances and other free lance work.
Scott is also on the faculty of the Midwestern Music Academy each summer and has served on the faculties of the Brevard Music Center, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and Baker University. At KU he is the proud director of the KU Tuba-Euphonium Consort. Scott Watson is an Artist/Clinician for Besson Tubas.
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James Foster Percussion
Brought up in a small town in Cornwall, Southern England, James Foster began his career playing percussion in his local village brass band before going on to become Principal Percussionist of the Cornwall Youth Brass Band. He later became a tutor with the CYB before moving to Bristol University to study law.
Throughout his time in Bristol James regularly performed with the New Bristol Sinfonia, Bristol Concert Orchestra, and the University Orchestra. It was whilst in Bristol that James became a regular on the professional musical theatre circuit at the Bristol Hippodrome, together with playing and recording with various big bands around the country.
James was privileged to be the Principal Percussionist of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain for many years under the baton of noted conductors Elgar Howarth and Bramwell Tovey, Musical Director of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. He also enjoyed recording and performing at the NYBB with leading soloists Jens Lindemann, Joseph Alessi and Ian Bousfield.
James has performed with many of the premiere brass bands in the UK. It was during his time with the National Youth Brass Band when he met Dr Robert Childs who invited him to play with the Cory Band in Wales during his time at University. Particular highlights of his period at Cory was winning the 2011 Welsh Regional Championships and travelling to the Netherlands to perform at the prestigious Holland Brass Festival.
Although James now spends most of his time as a criminal defence lawyer, he still enjoys playing with the All Souls Orchestra in London, who regularly perform at the Royal Albert Hall, and with whom he recently performed at Wembley Stadium. James is a member of the current West of England Champions Woodfalls Band.
Throughout his time in Bristol James regularly performed with the New Bristol Sinfonia, Bristol Concert Orchestra, and the University Orchestra. It was whilst in Bristol that James became a regular on the professional musical theatre circuit at the Bristol Hippodrome, together with playing and recording with various big bands around the country.
James was privileged to be the Principal Percussionist of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain for many years under the baton of noted conductors Elgar Howarth and Bramwell Tovey, Musical Director of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. He also enjoyed recording and performing at the NYBB with leading soloists Jens Lindemann, Joseph Alessi and Ian Bousfield.
James has performed with many of the premiere brass bands in the UK. It was during his time with the National Youth Brass Band when he met Dr Robert Childs who invited him to play with the Cory Band in Wales during his time at University. Particular highlights of his period at Cory was winning the 2011 Welsh Regional Championships and travelling to the Netherlands to perform at the prestigious Holland Brass Festival.
Although James now spends most of his time as a criminal defence lawyer, he still enjoys playing with the All Souls Orchestra in London, who regularly perform at the Royal Albert Hall, and with whom he recently performed at Wembley Stadium. James is a member of the current West of England Champions Woodfalls Band.
Craig Roberts Executive Director
Former Assistant Director of the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, Craig studied at the United Kingdom's University of Salford, gaining first his BA (Hons) then Masters degree there, studying with Dr Roy Newsome and Prof David King. Whilst at the university, in his final year Craig was awarded the Roy Newsome conducting prize as the outstanding undergraduate conductor of the academic year 2000.
Within the UK Craig has performed in most of the country’s finest concert halls including the Wales Millennium Centre, St David’s Hall, the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, BBC National Orchestra of Wales' Hoddinott Hall, and the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff; Symphony Hall, Birmingham; The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester; The Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool; the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea; and the Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall and Royal Academy of Music, London. Abroad Craig has toured to Australia, Canada, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Libya, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Russia, Ukraine and the United States of America.
Craig has worked on a wide variety of large scale and innovative concert projects both at home and abroad, with numerous leading ensembles and artists. These include Owain Arwel Hughes & Camerata Wales, the Stadtorchester & Kreisverband Jugendblasorchester Ravensburg and Stadtkapelle Nurtingen of Germany, the Don Cossack and Russian Cossack State Dance Companies, Errollyn Wallen and the Welsh National Opera Company, Tim A. Duncan and the Imperial Ice Stars, Steve Bingham, David Childs, Shan Cothi, Rebecca Evans, Catrin Finch, Lesley Garrett, Joji Hirota & the Japanese Taiko Drummers, Claire Jones, Paul Mealor, Andrew Powell, Sir Bryn Terfel, Katy Treharne, James Watson, the Band of Her Majesty’s Grenadier Guards, plus various and numerous leading bands and choirs which have included Black Dyke, Brighouse & Rastrick and Leyland brass bands.
Within Wales, Craig has conducted many of the nation's leading championships brass bands, including the famous Cory Band who Craig guest conducted for the Golden Jubilee procession through London of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. He has been successful in competition at the highest level, winning the Welsh League Championship on three occasions (2006, 2009 and 2011) and has won every contest in the Welsh League Championships: the SWBBA Championships in 2006 with Parc & Dare, the WWBBA Championships in 2007 with Burry Port, and the SEWBBA Championships in 2011 with Abergavenny Borough. In 2004 Craig was named Conductor of the Year by the SEWBBA and WWBBA.
For a number of years Craig was also Director of Music of the Woods Mfg Co Brass Band based in Stittsville, Ontario, Canada. He directed the band at several of the world’s largest military shows including the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo; the Virginia International Tattoo in Norfolk, USA; the Netherlands Nationale Taptoe in Breda, Holland and the Polizei Show of Hamburg, Germany.
Craig was a core member of the Production Team of the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, and Assistant Director of this, the world’s largest annual indoor show for over 20 years. He has also worked as a production consultant on the annual Canadian Beating Retreat “Fortissimo” held annually on Parliament Hill, Ottawa, as well as other leading large scale productions in the United Kingdom, Germany, Russia, North Africa, Crete (Greece), and Ukraine.
Formerly Executive Officer of the UK National School Band Association (NSBA), Craig was also Artistic Director of the Welsh Brass Arts Festival (2001-2008), and Wales Development Manager to Making Music, the national support body for UK voluntary music. He is now a leading freelance arts management consultant and General Manager of the Welsh Proms, Wales' national classical music festival.
In addition to all of the above Craig also still supplies brass tuition to numerous schools and young musicians in his home county of Rhondda Cynon Taf. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Sound Affairs, and was for many years a member of the Executive Council of Music Centre Wales, Ty Cerdd and a Board Member of Communty Music Wales. He is currently Musical Director of Symphonic Brass Wales, current WWBBA & Welsh League First Section Champions Lewis-Merthyr Band, and National Eisteddfod & Runner-Up Welsh League Second Section Champions Seindorf Arian Crwbin.
Videos of Craig directing the massed bands of the RNSIT can be found below. Additional information on Craig and his current activities can be found at www.croberts100.com
Within the UK Craig has performed in most of the country’s finest concert halls including the Wales Millennium Centre, St David’s Hall, the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, BBC National Orchestra of Wales' Hoddinott Hall, and the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff; Symphony Hall, Birmingham; The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester; The Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool; the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea; and the Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall and Royal Academy of Music, London. Abroad Craig has toured to Australia, Canada, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Libya, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Russia, Ukraine and the United States of America.
Craig has worked on a wide variety of large scale and innovative concert projects both at home and abroad, with numerous leading ensembles and artists. These include Owain Arwel Hughes & Camerata Wales, the Stadtorchester & Kreisverband Jugendblasorchester Ravensburg and Stadtkapelle Nurtingen of Germany, the Don Cossack and Russian Cossack State Dance Companies, Errollyn Wallen and the Welsh National Opera Company, Tim A. Duncan and the Imperial Ice Stars, Steve Bingham, David Childs, Shan Cothi, Rebecca Evans, Catrin Finch, Lesley Garrett, Joji Hirota & the Japanese Taiko Drummers, Claire Jones, Paul Mealor, Andrew Powell, Sir Bryn Terfel, Katy Treharne, James Watson, the Band of Her Majesty’s Grenadier Guards, plus various and numerous leading bands and choirs which have included Black Dyke, Brighouse & Rastrick and Leyland brass bands.
Within Wales, Craig has conducted many of the nation's leading championships brass bands, including the famous Cory Band who Craig guest conducted for the Golden Jubilee procession through London of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. He has been successful in competition at the highest level, winning the Welsh League Championship on three occasions (2006, 2009 and 2011) and has won every contest in the Welsh League Championships: the SWBBA Championships in 2006 with Parc & Dare, the WWBBA Championships in 2007 with Burry Port, and the SEWBBA Championships in 2011 with Abergavenny Borough. In 2004 Craig was named Conductor of the Year by the SEWBBA and WWBBA.
For a number of years Craig was also Director of Music of the Woods Mfg Co Brass Band based in Stittsville, Ontario, Canada. He directed the band at several of the world’s largest military shows including the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo; the Virginia International Tattoo in Norfolk, USA; the Netherlands Nationale Taptoe in Breda, Holland and the Polizei Show of Hamburg, Germany.
Craig was a core member of the Production Team of the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, and Assistant Director of this, the world’s largest annual indoor show for over 20 years. He has also worked as a production consultant on the annual Canadian Beating Retreat “Fortissimo” held annually on Parliament Hill, Ottawa, as well as other leading large scale productions in the United Kingdom, Germany, Russia, North Africa, Crete (Greece), and Ukraine.
Formerly Executive Officer of the UK National School Band Association (NSBA), Craig was also Artistic Director of the Welsh Brass Arts Festival (2001-2008), and Wales Development Manager to Making Music, the national support body for UK voluntary music. He is now a leading freelance arts management consultant and General Manager of the Welsh Proms, Wales' national classical music festival.
In addition to all of the above Craig also still supplies brass tuition to numerous schools and young musicians in his home county of Rhondda Cynon Taf. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Sound Affairs, and was for many years a member of the Executive Council of Music Centre Wales, Ty Cerdd and a Board Member of Communty Music Wales. He is currently Musical Director of Symphonic Brass Wales, current WWBBA & Welsh League First Section Champions Lewis-Merthyr Band, and National Eisteddfod & Runner-Up Welsh League Second Section Champions Seindorf Arian Crwbin.
Videos of Craig directing the massed bands of the RNSIT can be found below. Additional information on Craig and his current activities can be found at www.croberts100.com
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Craig conducting his own arrangement of the 2009 RNSIT Finale Fanfare
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Craig conducting the 2005 RNSIT Act One Finale
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Mentor Members
NABBSS Mentors are additional members of staff, who rehearse and perform with the NABBSS Brass Band in the Tattoo and Festival Concerts, as well as assisting and supporting delegates throughout the rehearsal period.
2017 Mentors & Music Staff
Hannah Rogers - Tredegar Band
Ben Stratford - Tredegar Band
Rita Arendz - Librarian
Fred Haire - Librarian
2016 Mentors
Daniel Hall - Tongwynlais / RWCMD Bands & Young Composer In Residence, Grimethorpe Colliery
Hannah Rogers - Tredegar Band
Ben Stratford - Flowers Band
Peter Jackson - Tongwynlais Band
2015 Mentors
Ben Halstead - Prince of Wales Division Band
Stephanie Wilkins - Cory Band
Will Norman - Flowers Band
Hannah Rogers - Tredegar Band
Matthew Fletcher - Cory Band
Rob Nicholson - Cory Band
James Gourlay Guest Conductor 2016
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James Gourlay was born in Scotland where, at an early age, he was volunteered to play in the local school brass band. He made rapid progress and soon became Scottish National Solo Champion at Junior and Senior levels.
Gourlay later studied tuba performance at the Royal College of Music, London, but left after a short time to take up a full time position in the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Three years later, he became Principal Tuba of the BBC Symphony Orchestra in London. It was in that city that Gourlay became involved with the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, sharing the tuba chair with John Fletcher. At that time, he was also active in the film industry, performing on the sound tracks of Superman II and III, Batman and Yentl, to name but a few. |
After 10 great years at the BBC, working with some of the world's greatest conductors, Gourlay was invited to become the solo tubist of the Zurich Opera House Orchestra in Switzerland. It was there that he developed his skills as a conductor, attending master-classes with Ralph Weikert, and working with the Brass Band Berner Oberland, with which he won the Swiss National Championship 5 times and the Swiss Open Contest 4 times, a record that has yet to be beaten.
After nine years at the Zurich Opera, Gourlay was invited by the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England, to become the Head of its Wind, Brass and Percussion department, following in the footsteps of Timothy Reynish. Later, another invitation, this time from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, took Gourlay back to his native Scotland, to become Deputy Principal (Music) of that institution.
Today, James Gourlay is the General Director of Pittsburgh's River City Brass, the world's only full-time professional brass band, performing 70 concerts annually all over the USA, and Director of Instrumental Music and University Bands at Wheeling Jesuit University, West Virginia.
Gourlay holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Salford, a MMus from the University of Leeds and is a Fellow of the Royal Northern College of Music (FRNCM) and the London College of Music (FLCM). Gourlay has also been honoured by the Worshipful Company of Musicians, which conferred upon him the John Henry Iles Medal for services to the brass band movement.
Gourlay's repertoire is extensive, ranging from the avant-garde to rock and pop music. He has commissioned more than 50 solo works for tuba and piano, tape, band and orchestra. As a conductor, he works with some of the world's leading brass groups, but also with orchestras such as the Sinfonica in Campinas, Brazil, the Orquestra Casa da Musica in Porto, Portugal. He is also a regular guest conductor of the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain (NYWO), with whom he toured Switzerland in the summer of 2013.
He has made 5 solo CDs, including the acclaimed 'British Tuba Concertos' and more than 20 CDs with brass bands and wind bands. NABBSS were delighted to welcome James as Guest Conductor of the 2016 course.
Further information on James Gourlay can be found at www.jamesgourlaytuba.com
After nine years at the Zurich Opera, Gourlay was invited by the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England, to become the Head of its Wind, Brass and Percussion department, following in the footsteps of Timothy Reynish. Later, another invitation, this time from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, took Gourlay back to his native Scotland, to become Deputy Principal (Music) of that institution.
Today, James Gourlay is the General Director of Pittsburgh's River City Brass, the world's only full-time professional brass band, performing 70 concerts annually all over the USA, and Director of Instrumental Music and University Bands at Wheeling Jesuit University, West Virginia.
Gourlay holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Salford, a MMus from the University of Leeds and is a Fellow of the Royal Northern College of Music (FRNCM) and the London College of Music (FLCM). Gourlay has also been honoured by the Worshipful Company of Musicians, which conferred upon him the John Henry Iles Medal for services to the brass band movement.
Gourlay's repertoire is extensive, ranging from the avant-garde to rock and pop music. He has commissioned more than 50 solo works for tuba and piano, tape, band and orchestra. As a conductor, he works with some of the world's leading brass groups, but also with orchestras such as the Sinfonica in Campinas, Brazil, the Orquestra Casa da Musica in Porto, Portugal. He is also a regular guest conductor of the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain (NYWO), with whom he toured Switzerland in the summer of 2013.
He has made 5 solo CDs, including the acclaimed 'British Tuba Concertos' and more than 20 CDs with brass bands and wind bands. NABBSS were delighted to welcome James as Guest Conductor of the 2016 course.
Further information on James Gourlay can be found at www.jamesgourlaytuba.com
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Salvatore Scarpa Guest Conductor 2017
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Salvatore Scarpa is Director of Orchestras at Rowan University, where he conducts the University Orchestra and Opera Company productions, and teaches conducting, music theory and music history.
Formerly Assistant Conductor of Pennsylvania Ballet, he is Music Director/Conductor of the Bel Canto Lyric Opera Company (Philadelphia), Music Director / Conductor of the Atlantic Brass Band (2017 North American Brass Band Association & U.S. Open Double Champions) and - with his wife Christine - Director of the Choir of St. Peter's Church in Merchantville, NJ. Salvatore is a frequent guest conductor of the Orvieto Festival of Strings (Italy) and has also served on the faculties of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Camden County College. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music and Rowan University, Mr. Scarpa has appeared as a guest conductor of the Kennet Symphony, the Sibiu (Romania) Philharmonie, and Italy’s famed Band of the Guardia di Finanza. |
Mr. Scarpa is also a composer who has written works for the Empire Brass, the Philadelphia Pops, and the International Trombone Association among others. Recent compositions include dramatic and dance scores for productions of Antigone, The Snow Queen, and Twelfth Night.
A member of a generation of musicians at home in the worlds of classical, jazz, and popular music, he was the winner of a Down Beat Magazine “dee bee” award for Best Jazz Arrangement, was a member of the first BMI Jazz Composers Workshop, and Assistant Music Director for the Grammy Award winning production Zappa’s Universe.
NABBSS were delighted to welcome Sal as Guest Conductor for our fourth consecutive, special Canada 150 course, and to share in his exceptional musicianship and experience.
Below can be found Salvatore directing Altantic Brass Band in their 2017 own choice NABBA Championship winning performance of Dr Peter Graham's "Metropolis 1927", together with their 2016 own choice work, Philip Sparke's "Music of the Spheres". Further information on Salvatore Scarpa and Atlantic Brass Band can be found at www.atlanticbrassband.org
A member of a generation of musicians at home in the worlds of classical, jazz, and popular music, he was the winner of a Down Beat Magazine “dee bee” award for Best Jazz Arrangement, was a member of the first BMI Jazz Composers Workshop, and Assistant Music Director for the Grammy Award winning production Zappa’s Universe.
NABBSS were delighted to welcome Sal as Guest Conductor for our fourth consecutive, special Canada 150 course, and to share in his exceptional musicianship and experience.
Below can be found Salvatore directing Altantic Brass Band in their 2017 own choice NABBA Championship winning performance of Dr Peter Graham's "Metropolis 1927", together with their 2016 own choice work, Philip Sparke's "Music of the Spheres". Further information on Salvatore Scarpa and Atlantic Brass Band can be found at www.atlanticbrassband.org
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