Ian was Fishburn Bands' Musical Director between the years of 1990 and 2001, during which time we enjoyed a great deal of success. Ian followed in the illustrious footsteps of previous Musical Directors including Roy Curran, James Foxcroft, Roger Payne and David Loukes.
Born in Darlington, Ian's early musical influence was through his father and the Salvation Army. As a cornet soloist he performed at many events both locally and nationally; also at this time he passed the LTCL diploma. Ernest Ryder MBE, Ian's teacher and also the local Salvation Army bandmaster, encouraged him to conduct and appointed him Deputy Bandmaster at the age of 17.
During college years Ian studied trumpet with Vincent Smith and his musical interests varied from baroque music to jazz, appearing with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra as a soloist.
After ten years as Principal Cornet with the Band, Ian was engaged as Conductor/Musical Director in 1990 and helped lead the band through a very successful period. Ian also enjoyed working with many other North East based bands during this period.
Arranging and composing are interests that Ian developed and he was selected as an adjudicator for the 2000 Regional Brass Band Championships.
Married to Angela with one son, Matthew, Ian taught brass and conducted ensembles for the Durham Music Service.
This page was last updated on: 21/2/2023
This site is maintained by John and Audrey Gill
All information on this site is the copyright of Fishburn Band and must not be reproduced in any form without our express permission
Pictured above with the Durham County Brass Band Association Winners Trophy 2003, Graham commenced taking the Band in November 2001 through to March 2004 and during his appointment with the Band, took us to several contests inclusive of the CISWO Mineworkers Contest in Blackpool, the Durham County Brass Band Association Contest, the North of England Championships, the Grand Shield Contest, the All England Masters Contest, the Troon invitation Contest and a number of concerts.
Displaying a very hard working and enthusiastic approach in the Bandroom, Graham was a very experienced Conductor having conducted several Championship Section Bands and helped continue the success of the Band.
Graham was born in Dodworth, Barnsley in 1948 and sadly died in 2013 following illness. He started playing the cornet in the local village band at the age of seven. At thirteen years old, he joined world famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band and progressed under the guidance of Mr George Thompson to become assistant Principal Cornet. He kept an association with Grimethorpe Band for the next 20 years. During that period, Graham had a spell with Brodsworth Colliery Band as Principal Cornet and simultaneously started conducting the Brodsworth Junior Band.
In 1977 Graham became Musical Director with Andrews Heat for Hire Band and in 1980 gained success at the Pontins and Grand Shield Contests.
1981 saw Graham taking the reins at Rockingham Band as Musical Director and that same year won the 2nd Section Area contest, the subsequent London finals, the Pontins Contest, the CISWO area Contest and the CISWO finals Contest at Blackpool. A record which has not been equalled since.
In 1988 Graham was appointed Musical Director of Dodworth Colliery Band which later that year became the British Steel Dodworth Band through a sponsorship arrangement. Under Graham's Baton and their new title, the Band achieved numerous successes in both the contest arena and on the concert platform.
Graham subsequently conducted numerous Bands inclusive of Stocksbridge Engineering Steels Band, the Cory Band, British Telecom Band, Marple Band and of course Fishburn Band.
Graham tasted success at many contests with Championship Section Bands inclusive of three Grand Shield wins with Andrews Heat for Hire Band, the Dodworth Band and the famous Cory Band in addition to a runners up placing with the British Telecom Band.
Graham was also Musical Director of Hatfield Coal Power Band who were crowned 1st Section champions of Yorkshire in March 2004. He was also resident conductor of Ransomes Band.
Graham's ability as an adjudicator and Band trainer was well known and his success rate put him in demand with bands all over Europe.
Chris was appointed as our resident Musical Director from April 2004, but unfortunately had to relinquish the position due to work commitments in June 2006.
Chris was also well known as the Solo Trombone player of the Reg Vardy (Ever Ready) Band and had previously gained extensive experience in conducting local bands having success with Westoe (STHCT) Band and Boldon Colliery Band and helped ensure the ongoing development and success of the Band.
His appointment followed the decision by the Band to revise the Musical Director position to provide separate resident and professional positions in order to take the Band to a higher level. During his period with the band, Chris worked alongside various Musical Directors such as Major Ian McElligott, Major Jones and Russell Gray
Phil was appointed as Resident Musical Director of the Band in July 2006 until March 2010.
Phil was already well known to the Band both as a Conductor and Bb/Eb bass Player, having guested with the Band on several occasions.
A graduate of Huddersfield University with a BMus (Hons) Degree in Music, Phil brought a fresh and energetic approach to the Band and constantly worked on new programme material and ideas to develop the repertoire of the Band. Whilst working with the Band, Phil worked alongside several Musical Directors including Ray Farr, Russell Gray, Alan Morrison and Richard Evans, whilst also benefitting from masterclasses as part of his Conductor course studies.
The Band wish Phil well for his future ventures and hope to work together again in the future.
HUW THOMAS
Huw was appointed as Resident Musical Director of the Band in 2011 until January 2013
Huw was already well known to the Band as a Conductor having conducted the Band on several occasions during his Masters Degree course at Durham University under the guidance of Ray Farr. A Trumpet player in his own right, Huw has also a great deal of experience conducting a number of other Brass Bands, Big Bands and Orchestras
Whilst working with the Band, Huw worked alongside Ray Farr and Alan Morrison whilst also benefitting from masterclasses as part of his Conductor course studies with Bramwell Tovey, Peter Graham and Elgar Howarth.
Huw has recently relocated to Denmark, where he has become associated in the Danish Brass Band scene.
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
DAVID HIRST
David commenced working with the Band in 2017 in the capacity of professional conductor.
David commenced his conducting career in the mid ‘70s, conducting a variety of bands before being appointed in 1980 as the Musical Director of the Andrews Heat for Hire Band. After five successful years he was appointed Musical Director of the Lewington Yamaha Band followed by two years as the Resident Conductor at Black Dyke.
In 1990 David was appointed by Yorkshire Imperial Band conducting them at the British Open, All England Masters and as prize-winners at the “Brass in Concert” competition over three successive years.
In 1994 David joined Brighouse & Rastrick Band as Resident Musical Director until 2005. During this period the Band were National Champions (1997 and 1998), European Champions (1998) and All England Masters Champions (1997 and 2001) in addition to Yorkshire Area Champions (1995, 1997 and 2003).
Since leaving B&R David has been guest conductor with Grimethorpe, Faireys and Fodens.
A very well known figure with immense experience in the brass band movement, the Band were delighted to work alongside David.
JASON SMITH
Jason was appointed as Resident Conductor of the Band in 2016 having previously been conductor of Westoe Band.
Jason was well known to the Band as he had been guest conductor on a number of occasions. He brought a great deal of work ethic to the band, putting in a lot of preparation and hard work. Jason unfortunately left the band in 2017 due to other commitments.
JOE COOK
Joe was appointed Resident Musical Director of the band in 2014, having previously been conductor of GT Group Peterlee band.
Joe is well known in Brass Band circles as an outstanding Tuba Soloist. Joe started his playing career with Boldon Colliery Band before joining the Ever Ready Band (Reg Vardy) also gaining entry to the National Youth Brass Band. He went on to study Music and Electrical Engineering at the University of Leeds.
Joe spent 14 years with the Black Dyke Band, joining at the age of 18, with whom he was Principal Tuba and featured soloist throughout the UK and tours of USA, Australia, Bermuda, Switzerland and Canada. He has played on over 40 recordings and won 11 major competitions (2 European, 4 British National, 2 British Open, and 3 English titles). In 2006 Joseph won the Stanley Wainwright Memorial Trophy for the Best Soloist at The British Open Championships at Symphony Hall.
In his conducting career prior to Fishburn, Joe worked with Reg Vardy and GT Group Peterlee Bands and has gained tuition from Dr Nicholas Childs and Ray Farr.
Joe relocated to Norway but has kept an association with the Band, revisiting and taking the band on a number of occasions.
Joe and his partner Randi, have recently become the proud parents of 2 sons, Edvard and Gustav, and a lovely daughter Heidi.
PHIL ROSIER
CHRIS BENTHAM
GRAHAM O'CONNOR
IAN ROBINSON
LEWIS WILKINSON
Lewis was appointed as Conductor of the Band on 2 occasions between 2017 returning in 2022 following completion of his Post Graduate conducting course in Wales. He is a highly skilled and knowledgeable musician and conductor, with enormous amounts of enthusiasm.
Lewis was well known to the Band as he played for a period of time with the band on bass Trombone. He has a big future ahead of him and we hope to be a part of his journey.
Michael was appointed as Resident Conductor of the Band in 2022 having already conducted the band on a number of occasions. He works very hard preparing the band for engagements and in preparing the band for contests under professional conductors.
Michael is also a very important playing member of the band as our Solo Horn player. He also conducts Houghton Brass and has had success in contesting.
MICHAEL FRANEY
DUNCAN BECKLEY
Duncan was appointed as Professional Conductor of the Band in 2022 and has lifted the performance levels of the band resulting in very good contest results. Duncan is a highly respected conductor and has indeed conducted many of the top bands, and is a regular adjudicator at contests across the UK.
We are looking forward to a long and successful future with Duncan.
