The Association of Brass Band Adjudicators (AoBBA) has announced that conductor, teacher and educator Craig Ratcliffe has successfully completed its Development Programme to become a full member of the organisation.

Experience

The alumnus of the University of Huddersfield, and Director of Music at St. John Fisher Catholic High School has also established the Brass Brigade — a multi-partner community youth music initiative that annually provides brass instrumental instruction to over three hundred young individuals.

An experienced conductor with Tewit Youth, Wetherby & District and Harrogate, he is also an examiner for Music and Music Technology at GCSE and A Level, as well as being a trustee for Harrogate International Festivals and the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.

Delighted

Having completed the two-year AoBBA programme, he commented: "I'm delighted to have completed the development scheme and enjoyed every moment of the process.

The training provided an exceptional platform to collaborate with and gain experience from some of the most respected musical minds in the banding community.

I'm really looking forward to using this acquired knowledge to support and give something back to the movement in the coming years."

I'm really looking forward to using this acquired knowledge to support and give something back to the movement in the coming yearsCraig Ratcliffe

Welcome

In welcoming him to the organisation, Head of AoBBA's Development Programme, Martin Heartfield, added: "Craig has excelled on the development programme and his completion of it signals a welcome addition to the Association.

We all look forward to working with him in the coming years as we continue to encourage and develop the next generation of adjudicators."