Two inspirational brass band music educators and conductors have received awards in the Queen's Birthday Honours List announced today.
Joining the high profile awardees such as Sir Neville Marriner, Karl Jenkins, Mark Anthony Turnage and James Macmillan are Louise Hough and Tony Small, who will receive the MBE and BEM respectively.
MBE for Hough
Louise, who led the Formby Band to the Fourth Section National Championship of Great Britain title in 2007, and earlier this year once again won the North West Area title, will receive the MBE for her dedication and services to the Resonate Music Service.
Louise has enjoyed a life-long passion and association with Resonate (the former Liverpool Music Support Service) when she herself started music lessons aged 11.
Overwhelmed
She told the Liverpool Echo newspaper: "I started learning the trumpet aged 11 and it just turned my whole life around. I'm just glad to be able to give other children the opportunities I had. I got the letter through in the post and I just couldn't believe it. I am just overwhelmed."
Louise runs the Resonate Music Studios at Gateacre School on a Wednesday night and at Notre Dame Catholic College on a Thursday as well as being a highly respected conductor.
BEM for Small
Meanwhile, Tony Small has enjoyed a life long association with the Penclawdd Band in west Wales, as well playing immensely important roles in the development and success of the West Glamorgan Youth Band and the National Youth Brass Band of Wales.
He was awarded the British Empire Medal (above) for services to music in Swansea.
Like Louise, he has also inspired countless young players to enjoy a life-long passion for music — with a number (including his own son, Gareth) going on to enjoy highly successful professional careers in some of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles.
National titles
He led the West Glamorgan Youth Band to the National Youth Championship of Great Britain titles on three occasions, as well as leading Penclawdd to the National Second Section title in 1983.
Under his baton Penclawdd claimed a memorable Championship Section victory at the Welsh Area in 1986, going on to represent Wales at the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall.
Regarded as a leading educationalist, he was also an enlightened chairman of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales and continues to conduct Penclawdd, qualifying for the First Section National Finals in 2013.
My greatest delight though has always been for teaching and helping young people enjoy making music — especially brass band musicTony Small BEM.
Honoured
Speaking to 4BR, Tony, who has made a full recovery from major heart surgery in the past year, said he was both delighted and surprised to receive the honour.
"The letter did come as something of a surprise,"he admitted. "I am very honoured and delighted, not just for myself, but for my wonderful family.
My greatest delight though has always been for teaching and helping young people enjoy making music — especially brass band music.
Everyone who has given me that pleasure over the years also deserves part of his honour too."
Congratulations
There will also be a great deal of joy on the Isle of Man with the news of Jim Crebbin's award of a BEM for service to Manx music and the community. Jim is a former conductor of the Rushen Silver Band, who he directed for over 50 years.
Congratulations also go to Robert Goodman of the Britannia Concert Band in Northern Ireland for his OBE and to Mark Baldwin, Artistic Director of the Rambert Ballet Company who recently choreographed the ground breaking 'Dark Arteries' ballet production with Tredegar Band.
