Brass Band & Ensemble Specialist Producer

Rob has recently joined the DRS team as our Brass Band & Ensemble Specialist. His wealth of knowledge and experience has already proven a real asset to our company.

Rob grew up in a town called Waterlooville, just north of Portsmouth. Interested in music from an early age, he was soon playing, composing and conducting with many different ensembles (having his first recorded piece at the age of 16). After completing his A-levels, he attended the University of Leeds to study for a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics and Music; which he was awarded a first in.

Composition/Arrangement

Although the majority of his output has been for brass band, Rob has written music for many different ensembles (including pieces for piano, brass quartet, brass band, chamber ensembles, string orchestra, full orchestra, wind band, choir and big band) both whilst at University and after graduating. In 2009, he was awarded the ‘Award of Merit for the Devilish Award for Composition 2009’ for his composition The Student and has received a number of commissions (with one, unusually, from Leeds City Council).

Conducting/Advisor

Since 2008, Rob has been a musical advisor for a number of the top brass bands in the UK. His role usually involves a combination of score checking, commenting on rehearsal recording and consulting with conductors on rehearsal and performance practices. His musical affinity and keen ear for detail has resulted in a number of the bands achieving winning performances in major competitions. During his University years, he primarily conducted the Leeds University Union Music Society (LUUMS) Brass Band (conducting in venues from Durham to Warwick and in Leeds Town Hall). His most recent success was with Wansbecks Ashington Colleiry Band in March 2011, achieving a top-three position in the North of England Area with only a week’s worth of rehearsals.