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Betty Anderson comes from a family with a background of over 100 years in the Brass Band movement - having followed in the footsteps of her father and grandfather as a tenor horn player. A soloist from the age of 8 and a conductor from the age of 14 - success in both fields resulted in her winning the tenor horn championship of Great Britain on two occasions. She became the first woman to conduct in the long history of the British Open Championships - having taken the Ratby Band from the Fourth to the Championship section in less than 6 years. This was all the more rewarding as 13 of the players had come from the Junior Band that Betty had started only 5 years earlier. During her long career, one of her main interests has always been the teaching and encouragement of young players, and for many years she has been on the council of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. In 2002, Betty was awarded the Harry Mortimer medal by the Worshipful Company of Musicians for her contribution to the Brass Band movement. With credentials like these Boobs and Brass were delighted when Betty agreed to conduct us at our SECOND annual concert in October 2007.
Belfast born, Stephen Bell has built a hugely diverse career spanning 30 years in both the musical and the commercial world and is in demand both as a choral, brass band and orchestral conductor and most recently as an adjudicator. Stephen is currently the Musical Director of the Northampton Male Voice Choir, the Market Harborough Orchestra (leader: David Leech) and has recently passed the baton for the Northampton Concert Band to Graham Tear as the Musical Director of the Northampton Concert Band: a post Stephen is particularly proud to have held for 10 years.
Stephen was educated at Southampton University (receiving the Henry Wood memorial prize for the highest marks in the academic year) and subsequently held positions as the Musical Director at Company MK (Guys and Dolls, 2002), the Wolverton Gilbert and Sullivan Society (1997-2002) and the Music Makers of Milton Keynes (The Merry Widow, 2002). More locally Stephen has been the Musical Director for the St Cecilia Singers of Rushden (2008-2013), the Northampton Chamber Choir (formerly the Lawrence Lloyd singers: 2001 - 2002), the Windmill Brass Band (Rushden: 2012-2014). In addition Stephen was the founder of the Northampton Chamber Orchestra (now conducted by Graham Tear) and the Northampton Guildhall Orchestra (1997-2002) specifically formed for the Brahms Centenary celebrations.
Stephen is delighted to continue his association with Brass Bands having first played the Tuba and Timpani with Laganvale Brass Band (NI) as far back as 1979! Stephen has enjoyed directing Boobs and Brass on several occasions both at a major concert in the Northampton Derngate and also at Verwood, Dorset (both in 2015).
Stephen will be directing Rushden Town Band in a concert on July 11th at Spinney Hill Hall with the Northampton Male Voice Choir. Stephen is particularly pleased to be conducting the outstanding Midlands Championship winners 2015 – the Virtuosi GUS Band - in a concert with Faryl Smith and the Northampton Male Voice choir later this year (November 21st) at the Northampton Deco Theatre.
Stephen is also highly respected as a freelance management consultant specialising in Automotive retailing having spent 28 years in this field. Stephen latterly worked for 10 years in a senior role within Mercedes-Benz UK. Stephen became freelance in 2014 and now is delighted to work exclusively as an associate partner of Get the Edge UK Ltd. Stephen lives in Abington, Northampton.
Martin Dawson began playing the tenor horn at the age of ten in his local village band of Moulton in Northamptonshire. Already a keen percussionist , he alternated between the two instruments for a number of years. He joined the Northamptonshire County Youth Brass Band on horn at 13, whilst playing for local bands such as Daventry and District and Northampton Town Band. In 1984, he joined the William Davis Construction Group Band in Leicestershire , eventually becoming their principal horn player. He then moved on to the world famous Desford Colliery Dowty Band, enjoying over two years with the band, including their hat trick of National Championship victories in the late 1980’s. Work then took him overseas to Bangkok and the chance to play with brass players in Thailand, including Canadian Brass tours and to try his hand at conducting. A return to the UK in 1995, coincided with a conducting vacancy at Rushden Windmill Band . The next two years saw the band win regularly in local and regional contests and promotion to the Third Section. Martin was also Resident Conductor at the Alliance and Leicester Kibworth Band during the same period. A move to Sri Lanka meant another change but allowed Martin to conduct and play with the Sri Lankan Army. This was followed by six years in Indonesia where he left brass altogether and performed as Elwood Blues Brother for six years in the largest Blues Brothers tribute band in South East Asia, including regular gigs in Jakarta, Bali and Singapore. Recently he has been playing with the Kyrgyz Philharmonic Orchestra and is a founding member of the Bishkek Brass Quintet in the Kyrgyz Republic. Currently working in Pakistan, brass band opportunities are limited but he has been able to return to the UK regularly to work with Rushden Town Band, who recently qualified for the National Finals in Cheltenham and support the wonderful ladies of Boobs and Brass.
Martin is still keen to play horn and regularly joins the Desford Colliery Band on their overseas tours
MD for Boobs & Brass on the first day of
recording their first CD
Adele comes from Ferrybridge in West Yorkshire, where she has a family background in music. Adele started playing the cornet at the age of 8 - joining Wakefield Schools Brass Band and as a founder member of the Wakefield Metropolitan Band in 1977. In 1982, Adele became a member of the National Youth Brass Band. However in 1984, Adele switched to trumpet and played for Wakefield Youth Orchestra and the City of Sheffield Youth Orchestra. From 1986-1990, Adele studied at the Royal Northern College of Music on the Graduate Diploma Course. After completing her teacher training in North London in 1991, Adele joined Northamptonshire Music & Performing Arts Service. Adele first received public recognition as conductor with the Northamptonshire County Training Wind Band and as conductor of the Northamptonshire County Youth Concert Band. In 2000, Adele became conductor of Northamptonshire County Youth Brass Band and has competed regularly at the National Youth Brass Band Championships and the National Festival. Adele conducted Towcester Studio Band from 1999 - 2005 - until she 'took-a-break' due to work and family commitments. 'Boobs and Brass' were delighted to tempt her out of retirement (!) for our charity concert. Unfortunately, in December 2006, she decided that because of her work and family she would be unable to commit to the band on a regular basis. Naturally, we shall always be grateful to Adele for her hard work in leading the band at our hugely successful concert in Kettering in September 2006.
John started playing the cornet at the age of 11 in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. At 14 he was principal cornet with Wakefield Schools Band and a year later became leader and Principal Cornet with Yorkshire Schools Band. In 1976 he joined Grimethorpe Colliery Band where he enjoyed playing concerts in the UK and as far afield as Australia. More recently John was Principal Cornet with Virtuosi (GUS) Band and has enjoyed conducting bands up and down the country with some success
Stan Lippeatt BA, LRSM
Conductor, adjudicator, tutor
60 Sixth Avenue, Edwinstowe, Mansfield, Notts. NG21 9PW
email: stan.lippeatt@btinternet.com
home: 01623 822672
mobile: 07875 138776
Born in Hemsworth, South Yorkshire, Stan for many years was the Flugel Horn player with the Grimethorpe Colliery Band. As a player / soloist for Grimethorpe, Stan featured in many of the band's comic routines and as a conductor Stan regards entertaining the audience a main priority.Stan is also privileged to have been the Flugel Horn player with the Kings of Brass. A distinguished playing career brought many successes but Stan's proudest moment was performing the world premier of John Golland's Flugel Horn Concerto at Southwell Minister, conducted by Major Peter Parkes, a work that Stan had commissioned.
Stan's conducting career started in 1983 with the Grimethorpe Colliery Junior Band and he finally left Grimethorpe as player, and conductor of the Juniors in 1987 to become Musical Director at the Thoresby Colliery Band (French Open Champions 2003 and four times national finalists), a position he held for 17 years.
Since Thoresby Stan has been Musical Director with the EYMS Band and done freelance work with Grimethorpe Colliery, Brighouse & Rastrick, The Fairy Band, YBS and many workshops/seminars with bands throughout the country.
As player and conductor Stan has performed at the National Championships, British Open Championships, National Mineworkers Championships, All England Masters, French Open Championships, BBC Band of the Year, Granada Television Band of the Year, Rothmans Brass in Concert Championships and the Solo and Quartet Championships of Great Britain.
Over the year's Stan has been on tour with bands to Austria, Australia, Germany, France, Spain, Yugoslavia, Italy and Switzerland.
As an adjudicator Stan has officiated at the National and Regional Championships, Belgium National Championships, Pontin's National Championships, Scottish Open and many other Brass Band contests throughout the UK. From 2002 Stan sat on the executive committee of the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators and is honored to have been a past Chairman of the Association.
His all round talents have been of immense value on various youth band courses and teaching became his full time profession after studying part time at Barnsley College for a degree in Band Studies. Stan subsequently became a Brass Peripatetic Teacher in Nottinghamshire. He has recently been involved in the Grimethorpe Besson Youth Band venture.
With the wealth of experience Stan has gained in the Brass Band movement it was no surprise in 2003 when a Butlin's representative invited Stan to discuss the demise of the CISWO Mineworkers' Championships and to appoint him as Contest Advisor to assist with the formation of the Butlin's National Mineworkers' Open Brass Band Festival.
Jonathan Mott was Musical Director of 'Boobs & Brass' at our very successful first atttempt at the Whit Friday Marches in 2007...and so, by definition, has become an Honorary Boob! Jonathan started playing the cornet at the age 7, following his father, grandfather and great grandfather into banding. His early playing, and indeed conducting, experience all came within the Salvation Army. In 1992, he left Kettering SA Band and subsequently played with William Davis Construction Group Band, NSK RHP Ransome Band and Travelsphere Holidays (GUS) Band. As a player he has worked with many of the leading brass band conductors of our time and his playing experience has involved many high profile competitions, concerts, overseas tours, numerous broadcasts (TV & Radio) and several CD recordings.
Robert first played the cornet at the tender age of eight in the Salvation Army in Plymouth. Over his formative years he gradually moved through various instruments, until he arrived at his first love, the Eb tuba.After a sabbatical from brass playing, he joined the Bristol East Band. Following a career move to the Midlands in the early 1980’s - and a short spell with the Langley Band - he found himself in the emerging Desford Colliery Dowty Band under Howard Snell. Here he enjoyed seven wonderfully successful years, in what was arguably, the best band in the country at that time. Numerous area titles, triple Granada Band of the Year champions, double BBC Best of Brass Champions, Champion of Champions and finally, European Champions, tend to underpin that claim.
Having retired from top level playing, Robert turned to conducting, with all that he had learnt from playing under Howard Snell coming to the surface. Taking his first band – Sandy Silver - to third spot in the National Finals and promotion to third section of banding. Stamford Brass followed, culminating in two appearances in the National Finals and promotion to the first section. A short stint with Cambridge Co-op Band resulted in a return to the Championship Section.
Having spent the past twenty two years deeply involved with Stamford Brass, as player, conductor and administrator, he is now in his third period as the band’s musical director.
Derek began playing the cornet at the age of 10. On entrance to Myers Grove Comprehensive School he became a member of the school band and subsequently the City of Sheffield Youth Brass Band. Further invitations followed, including the Yorkshire Youth Brass Band and the Sheffield Recreation Band. Members of Derek's family had had associations with the ‘Sheffield Rec’ (as they were fondly know) for many years and when at the age of 13 he was accepted into the band, it was a dream come true. Derek worked his way through the ranks to become principal cornet of the Sheffield Recreation Band at the age of 16…however the name had now been changed to the City of Sheffield Band. It was during this time that Derek accepted an invitation to join the famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band and play amongst some of the finest players in the country. However, living away from home as a teenager took its toll and Derek returned to the end chair back at Sheffield, a position he held for 11 years. During this time, Derek turned down several opportunities to move back into Championship banding in order to establish himself as a principal player. In 1983 however, Derek felt the need for change and accepted a call from Rockingham Colliery Band to fill the vacant principal chair. During the next twelve months, the band enjoyed four contest wins and Derek was twice awarded ‘Best Instrumentalist’ along with a most successful tour in Germany.
1984 was to be a major step in Derek's ‘banding career’ when he made the move to the Yorkshire Imperial Metals Band. Working under the direction of such musicians as Ray Farr, Major Peter Parkes, Geoffrey Brand and James Scott had an enormous influence on Derek's musical career and it was around this time that he seriously moved into conducting…whilst still playing with the band! During his five years with the band, he enjoyed success on cornet, flugel horn and finally solo horn and travelled extensively around Europe appearing on Radio, TV and numerous recordings. In 1990 he fulfilled his lifelong ambition and joined the world famous Black Dyke Mills Band playing amongst the ranks of Phillip McCann and such like.
Over the years the Stocksbridge Band (formerly City of Sheffield, Quaker Sutherland and Andrews Heat For Hire) had grown from strength to strength and when during a break from playing he was asked to return to the band, he willingly accepted. His conducting career had already taken off, having directed the Oughtibridge Band, Holme Silver Band and Stannington Band when in 1998 he accepted the position of Musical Director to the Stocksbridge Band. During this time, Derek had enjoyed many contest wins but none sweeter than the 1st Section Area competitions in Yorkshire on two consecutive occasions. However, the ultimate prize was directing the band to win the National Championships of Great Britain (1st Section) and put the band back in their rightful home of the Championship Section! Derek is a founder member of the Harlequin Brass Ensemble however currently plays with a relatively new ensemble called The Brass Players. He is currently the MD of The Stannington Band in Sheffield which has recently been promoted to the Championship Section!
Bob enjoyed a long playing career mainly as a soprano cornet player in the Midlands (Jaguar City of Coventry band, GUS, Kibworth) and London (London Collegiate Brass, Hanwell, Redbridge bands). Highlights included appearances at the Royal Albert Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall, many recordings and contest successes. Now mostly retired from playing, Bob was recently appointed Musical Director of Daventry Brass with whom he recently won the Midlands 3rd section area and promotion to the 2nd section. He also conducts and teaches on a freelance basis.
ARCM, LDBBA (Cert) PFS,AFPC. Member NABBC, ABBA. & BFBB approved adjudicator.Most of Stephen’s first class playing was as a professional trombonist in Military Bands, Big Bands and Orchestras. He is a former member of the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards Band and has toured extensively through mainland Europe, Canada and the USA. He lived in Germany for 5 years serving with his band and was a regular player for several German Orchestras and taught regularly in British Army Education Service in Osnabruck.
Peter conducted the first Crazy Hats concert in 2007 and the Halifax concert in 2009. He started his playing career at the age of 7 and has played principal cornet for Wigston, Kibworth and Harborough Bands. 6 years ago he decided to take up the baton at Rushden Town Band which he is thoroughly enjoying. His wife, Marion, is a horn player with Boobs & Brass & he helps as a "roadie" whenever needed!
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