4BR has been informed of the death of David Loukes, the respected conductor, player and educationalist, who passed away on Thursday whilst on holiday in France.

Training

His early musical training came through the Salvation Army, where he eventually became solo trombonist with the Chalk Farm Band. He was awarded a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music in London where he studied under Denis Wick and Frank Wright.

In 1967 he was appointed Assistant Principal Trombone with the Halle Orchestra — a position he held with distinction for seven years. His period in Manchester also saw him help establish the ground breaking brass band musicianship courses at Salford College of Technology with the likes of Roy Newsome.

Conducting success

During this time his conducting career saw him enjoy considerable success, leading East Lancs Paper Group to victory at the 1977 Grand Shield – a feat he repeated two years later with Rochdale Band.

He was appointed Associate Conductor at Besses o’ th’ Barn Band and had associations with James Shepherd Versatile Brass, Wingates and National Smokeless Fuels amongst others.

Black Dyke

In March 1980 David Loukes was appointed Resident Conductor at Black Dyke — a role he held with popular distinction until the end of 1981, helping Major Peter Parkes in preparation for the band’s 1981 National Championship victory on ‘Blitz’.

During this time his conducting career saw him enjoy considerable success, leading East Lancs Paper Group to victory at the 1977 Grand Shield — a feat he repeated two years later with Rochdale Band4BR

Cornish return

He returned to Cornwall in 1990 for his first spell as MD of St Austell Band and continued to work successfully with many of the region’s bands, such as St Keverne, Redruth, Mount Charles and more latterly Heyl.

In 2003, he was asked to become Senior Tutor to the Cornwall Youth Brass Band, subsequently leading the band for eleven courses.

No further details are available at present.