The Virtuosi GUS Band has confirmed the recent appointment of John Berryman as Musical Director.

Long association

John has a long and distinguished association with the band dating back to 1959 when as a young man he moved from his native Cornwall to join the then Munn and Felton works band.

In 1960 John became the principal cornet, a position he held until his playing retirement in 1969. In those ten years John played in 3 winning National Brass Band Championships performances, also leading the famous GUS Quartet to 3 National Titles.

Welcome back

John first became the Resident Conductor of the GUS Band in 1985 working with Bramwell Tovey culminating in the British Open win of 1988. John was subsequently Musical Director of the band between 1991 and 1998 and led the band to 3 Area titles, and numerous prize winning performances at the British Open, National Finals and All England Masters.

Shawn Pagington, Band Manager, told 4BR: "We are delighted to welcome John back to the band and are certain that he will lead the organisation in challenging the very best bands in the UK once again."

We are delighted to welcome John back to the band and are certain that he will lead the organisation in challenging the very best bands in the UK once againShawn Pagington

Unfinished business

John himself commented to 4BR: "I firmly believe there is unfinished business with the GUS Band, which indeed has had the biggest influence on my banding life. At this time we are blessed with talented players in every seat within the band, not to mention the first class array of soloists, including John Hudson, Chris Jeans, Gary Fountain and Robert Woods."

John added: "A splendid start has already been made with qualification for London in October after only 2 weeks together, however there is much more hard work ahead in the coming months."

Projects

The Band is looking forward to the coming months with upcoming projects including the National Association of Brass Band Conductors Final in June, the National Finals in October and the recording of the first volume of a two part CD. The CD will chart the musical history of this famous Band which is celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year.