Excellence in Music
MUSICAL LEADERSHIP TEAM
Musical Director
Stephen Cooper
Steve embarked on his musical journey at 10 years old, starting with the baritone before following his passion for the euphonium.
He graduated from the London College of Music in 1987 where he studied under mentors James Gourlay and David Evans, and it was during this time he was awarded the Kenwynd Beard Brass Prize and the John McCabe Director’s Performance Prize.
Steve has toured with many UK orchestras such as the BBC Symphony and Royal Philharmonic. Notable highlights include numerous performances at the "Last Night of the Proms" and “The Planets” ballet premiere at Covent Garden.
As well as a flourishing career as a musician and teacher, his dedication to brass bands persisted, guiding numerous brass bands including Horsham Band, City of Coventry Brass, Ibstock Building Products Band and Sovereign Brass to contest victories.
Steve is pleased to work with the Brass Band of Central England and looks forward to future successes in this new chapter.
Professional Conductor
Howard J Evans
Howard is a Mus.B (Hons) graduate from the University of Manchester. He also holds LRAM (Piano Teaching), LTCL (Horn Teaching), and the ARCM - Hons (Piano Performing) diplomas.
As a postgraduate pianist at the Royal Northern College of Music, he gained a Diploma in Performance Studies, where his piano studies were undertaken with the distinguished Russian pianist and international teacher, Sulamita Aronovsky.
He completed his Performance based MA (Dist) from Salford University, majoring in conducting. This was followed in July 2009 by his subsequent award of ‘Doctor of Musical Arts’ (DMA) from Salford University.
Conductor and Musical Advisor
Brad Turnbull
Brad was first recognised as an outstanding trombonist studying at the Royal Academy of Music under the tuition of renowned trombonist Dudley Bright and played both tenor and bass trombone with the International Staff Band of the Salvation Army.
Brad is now recognised as a leading brass band conductor and has had significant success with Northamptonshire Youth Brass Band, a position he has held for 16 years.
Life President
Dave Lea
Dave Lea's remarkable contribution to the success of the band is recognised with his appointment as Life President. After 30 years of service as the band's Musical Director,
Dave is retired from full-time banding but remains an integral part of the band acting as Musical Advisor.