The death has been reported of the highly respected musician Kenneth Dennison. He passed away on Tuesday 18th October.
Born in Yorkshire he soon made his name as a talented trombonist with Rothwell Temperance Band, and in 1946 won the Alexander Owen Memorial Fund Scholarship. Two years later he joined the Central Band of the Royal Air Force.
Principal trombone
In 1951 he became principal trombone of the then Fairey Aviation Band — leading to association with the Stockport based band that lasted a quarter of a century.
Over 17 years as a player he helped them to numerous successes — including British Open victories in 1956, 1961, 1962, 1963 and 1965 and National Championship of Great Britain titles in 1952, 1954, 1956 and 1965.
Musical Director
He was appointed Musical Director in 1969, a role he held until 1976 when he moved to the south east of England to conduct on a freelance basis and become a highly respected adjudicator.
During his tenure at Fairey he led them to a brace of runner-up places at the fledgling World Championships, podium finishes at the British Open and Granada Band of the Year, and to the 'Champion of Champion's title at the Wills Championships Grand Finals in 1973, playing 'Triumphant Rhapsody' by Gilbert Vinter.
He was also one of the resident conductors alongside Roy Newsome, Geoffrey Brand and Stanley Boddington on the famous Canadian Brass Band Festival tour of 1972.
He later enjoyed further success with the likes of City of Coventry, Brodsworth Colliery and St Austell, and made his final contest appearance leading Betteshanger Colliery at the London & Southern Regional Championship in 2002.
In 1951 he became principal trombone of the then Fairey Aviation Band — leading to association with the Stockport based band that lasted a quarter of a century4BR
Adjudicator
As an adjudicator he gained a reputation for his insight and integrity over a 40 year span — with appointments at every level of the banding movement — from youth to the National Finals (1980) and European Championships (1993).
He was awarded the Iles Medal of the Worshipful Company of Musicians in 1978.
In later years he lived with his wife Barbara in Folkestone but still maintained a close association with many former banding colleagues and bands.
