Conductor - Ian Holmes
IAN HOLMES - BIOGRAPHY
Ian began his musical education at an early age, studying piano at the Garjulo School of Music in Bristol. He subsequently took up the tuba and received tuition from many of the UK's finest orchestral tuba players including John Fletcher and Patrick Harrild (LSO) and John Jenkins (Philharmonia). He graduated from the University of York and was offered scholarships to attend the Banff Center of Fine Arts in Canada, where he studied with the legendary Armando Ghitalla (principal trumpet of the Boston Symphony Orchestra) and the Royal College of Music for a two year postgraduate course studying tuba performance, conducting and piano accompaniment.
Ian has pursued a varied musical career as a performer, teacher and conductor. He toured Italy as principal tuba with the London Brass Virtuosi, recorded Music for Brass and Percussion (Hyperion) and has also performed with, amongst others, the Wilbraham Brass Soloists and Sun Life Band, with whom he played again in a reunion concert at St George’s, Bristol in June 2010. As a piano accompanist, he has broadcast live on BBC Radio 4 accompanying the virtuosic euphonium duettists the Childs Brothers.
Ian was the Musical Director of the City of Hull Youth Symphony Orchestra for several years, working with soloists such as Jack Brymer, Max Jaffa, Don Lusher, Johnny Morris, Hugh Bean, The Cann Twins and Craig Sheppard. He was the Professional Conductor of the Parc and Dare Band, winner of the BBC Radio Wales Band of the Year 1995, and in March 2000 he was appointed as Resident Conductor of the Cory Band. He was Musical Director of Aldbourne Band and co-produced their CD Aldbourne and has also conducted many other bands throughout the UK, including the Sun Life Band, Cwmaman Institute Silver Band, Tredegar Town Band, Tongwynlais Temperance Band, Test Valley Brass and the City of Bristol Band. In 2012, Ian will undertake a trip to Seattle in the USA, where he has been invited to conduct Brass Band Northwest and Chinook Winds. In July 2008 he became the Director of the University of the West of England Centre for Performing Arts where, amongst his many roles, he conducts the University Symphony Orchestra and is Musical Director of the University Choral Society and UWE Chamber Choir.
Ian was appointed Principal Conductor of Lydbrook Band in 2010 with whom he looks forward to a long and successful association.