Steve started playing brass and percussion at the age of 8 with Porthywaen Silver Band. He went on to study music at Liverpool and Trinity College of Music in London before embarking on a career in performing arts as conductor, performer, teacher, composer and adjudicator. He has been guest conductor and cornet player with some of the finest brass bands, orchestras and male voice choirs in the country. He has also played keyboard and trumpet in theatrical productions all over the UK as well as working for the BBC and ITV in tandem with his remit as Musical Director of The Band of the West Mercia Constabulary. For ten years he was Musical Director of North Powys County Youth Band in Mid Wales and is now over the border working part time on the brass team with the Shropshire County Music Service. Steve is employed full time as Head of Expressive Arts and Community Education at Belvidere School Technology College leading a department specialising in art, dance, drama and music. He is also a composition and music performance examiner for the AQA examination board and represents secondary school teachers on the AQA Assessment and Curriculum Committee.

Steve is in great demand all over the UK and abroad as conductor and adjudicator officiating at national and local association competitions. Recently he lectured members of The National Association of Brass Band Conductors at the annual convention on the art of conducting and personnel management. Steve was one of the first recruits on the Welsh Regional Council adjudicators training scheme led by renowned adjudicator Mr Brian Buckley and following this enrolled on the NABBC/Salford University brass band adjudication diploma course graduating in July 2006 with a Licentiate diploma in brass band adjudication.

Steve is regulary engaged as tutor on brass band courses and workshops throughout the UK as both conductor and brass tutor. He has been house tutor with The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and The National Childrens Brass Band of Great Britian.

As a composer Steve has received several commisions, the most recent being a composition for brass band to open the 8Oth celebration dinner for The Round Table of Britain and Ireland and performed by The Band of the West Midlands Police.

A member of the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators and National Association of Brass Band Conductors.

LDBBA Graduation 2006

left to right:

Sydney Swancott

SPJ

Dr Roy Newsome