*
banner

First principals pay off for Ellin

A former Smithills tuba player is certainly reaching for the musical stars via the odd planetary stop off along the way...

Smillhs logo
 

A former Smithills Schools alumnus is certainly making a name for himself in the professional musical world.

Highly successful

Former pupil Ben Ellin is now a highly successful composer and conductor and recently took to the podium to conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall on Gustav Holst’s ‘The Planets’.

First principals

His former music teacher and Smiths School MD Chris Wormald told 4BR: "Ben was the first principal tuba of our Senior Brass Band from 1992-1997 and our first principal clarinet of the Senior Concert Band.

He also went on to be the first Smithills member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and then the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain as Principal Tuba."

Paid off

His time at Smithills certainly paid off and Ben now regularly conducts in Los Angeles, St Petersburg, Rome, London, Manchester and recently, Huddersfield!

Chris added: "It shows how time moves on though as Ben got married last year and will become a father for the first time later this Autumn!

we are all really proud of Ben, and the fact that he comes back to the school to visit as often as he does speaks volumes about him as a personChris Wormald

Proud

Needless to say, we are all really proud of Ben, and the fact that he comes back to the school to visit as often as he does speaks volumes about him as a person."

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Principals

National Youth sets out musical principals ahead of twin concerts

April 5 • The 90 young players of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain are being out through their paces ahead of their twin Easter Course performances.


Elgar Festival

Elgar attractions gain ticket take up

April 5 • Brass Band Willebroek, Black Dyke, Foden's, Flowers, David Childs and the RBC Brass Band are attracting the crowds for their Elgar International Festival of Brass appearances.


BBCA

Pankhurst and Wainwright works to test conductor skills

April 5 • 'Ghosts of Industry' and 'Metamorphosis on Finlandia' will test the 10 semi-finalists in the Brass Band Conductors' Association Conducting Competition in June.


Liz Lane

Lane Saturday Live spotlight

April 5 • The musical life of composer Liz Lane was featured on the BBC Radio 4 programme 'Saturday Live' this weekend.


Regent Hall Concerts - Queentet Brass Quintet

Tuesday 7 April • Charlton House. Charlton Road . London SE7 8RE


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 1 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 3 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet

Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


CLEETHORPES BAND CIO

April 3 • We have vacancies for a trombone player and a bass player. Cleethorpes Band rehearse near the seafront on Thursday and Sunday evenings. Placed 3rd in the NOE 4th section. Other players are always welcome as we may be able to switch positions around


Tintwistle Band

April 2 • . Tintwistle Band are looking for a 2nd horn player to help complete the team.. We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


Tintwistle Band

April 2 • Tintwistle Band are looking for an Eb bass player to help complete the team.. We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


Andreas Kratz

Mus.B (hons)
Conductor, Adjudicator, Teacher


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd