About the Conductor - A Banding Biography

Even though growing up in Saddleworth, Chris only started playing when at University aged 19. His first Band was Hall Royd Band (then known as Hall Royd Young People's Band) in Shipley under the leadership of Norman Cree. He continued playing for this Band for a number of years but, as they were non-competing, also played for other Bands. These included Home Charm Paints, Thornhill (2nd Section) as Tutti Cornet and Friendly Band, Sowerby Bridge (4th Section) as joint Principal Cornet.

In 1993, a decision was taken to return to living in Saddleworth and Chris had his first taste playing with Friezland Band (4th Section) before he and his then wife Rosie joined Greenfield Band (4th-2nd Section). Then followed 3 very enjoyable years before Chris then retired from playing due to the birth of his 2 daughters, Jennifer and Bethany.

A chance meeting with Mike James at an educational conference late in 1999 saw Chris come out of retirement to rejoin Friezland as Repiano cornet. He stayed with the Band until Summer 2005. During this period Friezland progressed from the lower reaches of the 4th Section and gained promotion to the 3rd Section, as well as enjoying a number of foreign tours. Feeling the need for a new challenge, he moved to Greenfield Band (4th Section) and played Flugel Horn in the 2005 National Finals in Harrogate, being fortunate enough to win the 'Best Instrumentalist' prize in the 4th Section contest. A brief period on Tutti Cornet at Mossley Band (Championship Section) followed before Chris and his new partner Amy, decided to move nearer to their places of work and re-settle in Rastrick. Both Chris and Amy enjoyed 2 years at Elland Band (3rd/2nd Section) before the birth of their son, Thomas, led to another short period of retirement for both of them. Chris's only lasted 3 weeks before signing for Stalybridge (3rd Section) initially as Tutti cornet to help them out at a contest. He subsequently moved on to Flugel Horn but has now retired from playing again, this time due to increased conducting commitments.

 

He has conducted the Delph Youth Band since 2004 and became the MD of Friezland Band in November 2009.

His day job is as Leader of Learning - ICT at Newsome High School in Kirklees and he lives in Elland with Amy, Thomas and Rosie the cat.