Ian Holmes

Contact details

1 Ivydene Cottages, Rookery Lane, Wanswell, Glos, GL13 9RW
email: ian.holmes@btinternet.com
website:

home: 01453 811046
mobile: 07909 998097
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More about Ian

Ian began his musical education at an early age, studying piano at the Garjulo School of Music in Bristol. At the age of 13, he 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 with an honours degree in music and was subsequently 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 to study tuba, conducting and piano accompaniment.

Since leaving full time education, 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 Stanshawe Sun Life Band, with whom he will be playing again in their 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. His teaching roles have included Assistant Director of Music and Head of Brass at Clifton College and Director of Music at Colston's School in Bristol; he was also an examiner for the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

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 became the 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, most recently, the City of Bristol and Lydbrook Bands.

Ian was appointed Director of the University of the West of England Centre for Performing Arts in July 2008 where, amongst his many roles, he has been Musical Director of their successful Big Band, directing their recent CD recording, and currently directs the UWE Singers and Symphony Orchestra.