I began as a brass band player in the 1970s and 80s, playing trombone and bass trombone with mainly championship section brass bands such as Harton Colliery, Sunderland Concert and Hanwell. Since 1990, I have played trombone, sackbut and classical trombone in numerous orchestras, choral societies and other ensembles across a wide swathe of south-west England and south Wales. I have also appeared in solo recitals, which have included performances of the Wagenseil and Arutiunian concerti. Having obtained a BA in Modern History and a PGCE in Music and History (dissertation on instrumental teaching) from Durham University, I was awarded a full-time research studentship by the Open University in 1986. I gained a Ph.D in 1990 for my thesis, 'Amateur brass and wind bands in southern England between the late eighteenth century and c.1900'. Since then, I have studied trombone and sackbut, mainly with Donal Bannister of BBCNOW, for a number of years, gaining an LRSM trombone performers' diploma. I have published a number of academic articles on the history of bands in Britain, as well as reviews and opinion pieces on musical education and other matters. From 1982 onwards, I have taught brass instruments in a large number of state and independent schools, most notably John of Gaunt School, Trowbridge. I have an excellent record as a teacher, with many of my pupils gaining places at music colleges. university music departments and national ensembles. I have also had a great deal of success as a conductor and ensemble director. (See 'Achievements'.) At the moment, I teach trombone (and other brass) at Marlborough College, Winchester College and Dauntsey's School.
The Bradford Baroque Band were in great form: the cornets and sackbuts provided a piquant foil for the violin, viola da gamba, bajon, and theorbo with Baroque guitar... A lot of creative hard work from conductor and musicians paid off handsomely, and the audience was delighted.
