John Durrant

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Born on the east coast of England, John Durrant started playing in local brass bands and studied under the watchful eyes of Phil Parker Snr. and Edgar Riches. He was spotted as a young talent by the late Philip Jones MBE, with whom John studied for a year, winning an open scholarship to the Royal College of Music in London to study under Richard Walton.

On leaving he was offered his first orchestral position followed by four years with the newly formed Leyland Vehicles Band which he joined playing the soprano cornet. He started his band-conducting career with the Coppul Band, moving to Warburtons Bakery Band (formerly Hogarths). Taking them from a struggling band of twelve players into the Championship Section via an Area contest win of three clear points. From this time John has conducted and guest conducted a wide range of bands, earning a reputation for building bands, using his knowledge of the physical aspects of brass playing and the nickname, “The Repairman”. In the 1980’s he founded the St. Helens Youth Bands and was visiting trumpet teacher at the renowned Chetham’s School of Music.

Leaving the banding scene to further his orchestral career, John followed a freelance and contracted spell of playing, performing with many types of professional groups in Europe, Japan, Africa and of course the United Kingdom, including light orchestras, symphony orchestras, jazz and recording orchestras. As a soloist he has recorded works by Enesco, Hubeau, Hindemith and others on the album, “Recital Gems for Trumpet”, and has also led sections in studios across the world in music for such projects as, “The Bible” and has worked with Bruce Cassidy formerly of Blood Sweat and Tears.

In the brass band world, John has been professional conductor of Matthews Norfolk Brass and has recently been Musical director of the Woking Band, with whom he won the Area Contest taking them into the Second Section for the first time in their history. Recent contest successes have included clear points wins with the Hanwell Band and the Woking Band. John has guested with a long list of bands including, Ransome, Wingates, East Lancs Paper, Freckleton and others. In september 08 John left Barrow Shipyard band after four years in which he took the band back into the championship section via two consecutive National Finals appearances.

In recent years John’s pupils have consistently gained places at major music conservatoires and had success in competitions such as BBC Young Musician of the Year and he is now much in demand as a clinician and tutor.

John Durrant is a member of the Solo Performer and Composers section of the Incorporated Society of Musicians. John has also written a series of articles in the banding press.

Recent credits include:

“John Durrant is a player of extensive technique, his phrasing and breath control effortless”……. Guernsey Evening Post.

“More than technical brilliance”……… The Music Teacher

“A splendid Section…”……. Eastern Daily Press