Championship Section

Paul Cosh and Frank Renton

Following his studies of the trumpet at the Royal Academy of Music, Paul Cosh developed a highly successful freelance career that involved working in every field of the music profession. In the world of rock music he worked with many stars including, Elton John, Diana Ross, Bryan Ferry and George Michael, and played on the soundtracks of such films as Ghandi, Star Wars and Superman 2. Also during this time he made regular appearances with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The Philharmonia and The London Symphony Orchestra. From 1987 till 2005 Paul was a member of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Frank Renton also started his career as a professional trumpet-player and quickly established a reputation for his conducting. He has conducted many of the country's finest bands and orchestras and is internationally known for his broadcasting work as the voice of BBC's Listen to the Band.

First Section

John Berryman and Alan Morrison

John Berryman is a native of Cornwall, and started his musical career at the age of eight with the Cambourne Town Band.He was principal cornet of The National Youth Brass Band for several years before joining the Munn and Felton Works Band at the age of eighteen. Within a year he had been appointed Principal Cornet and went on to establish a reputation as one of the finest players in the brass band world, winning three National titles with this band when it was known as the GUS (Footwear) Band. AS a conductor he has had success with a whole host of Bands including William Davis and GUSwhom he led them to BBC "Band Of The Year" trophy and many other prizes. Alan Morrison has served several top class brass bands, including Grimethorpe Colliery and Brighouse and Rastrick, as Principal Cornet in a playing career that spanned over 40 years. As a freelance musician he continues to be in great demand with worldwide appearances as an adjudicator, soloist and conductor. An experienced music examiner for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music he also visits educational establishments giving recitals, masterclasses and external examining, and has adjudicated brass band contests at all levels at home and abroad, including the National Championships of Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Sweden, the US Open and European Championships.

Second Section

Phillip McCann and Philip Sparke

One of the best-known names in the Brass Band world, was born in Bo 'ness, Scotland, Phillip McCann began his playing career with Kinneil Colliery Band aged eight. He was principal cornet with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain for five years and his long tenure of the same chair at Black Dyke was during the band's world-beating period. Phillip's unique style and tone quality has been used by composers with orchestra for film and TV soundtracks such as Anna of the Five Towns, Woman of Substance and the immensely popular Hetty Wainthropp Investigates. Currently one of the movements leading composers, Philip Sparke studied composition, trumpet and piano at the Royal College of Music, where he gained an ARCM. A growing interest in his music led to several commissions, his first major one being for the Centennial Brass Band Championships in New Zealand: The Land of the Long White Cloud. Extensive commissions have followed from around the world and he has written for brass band championships in New Zealand, Switzerland, Holland, Australia and the UK, including three times for the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall, and his test pieces are constantly in use wherever brass bands can be found..

Third Section

Ewan Easton and Malcolm Brownbill

Ewan Easton is Principal Tuba with the Hall and Tutor in Tuba at the RNCM, JRNCM and Manchester University. Over the last thirty years his passion and enthusiasm for performing has taken him around the world playing with most of Britain's great Orchestras including and has played under the baton of many of the worlds great conductors. He was awarded an MBE in 2010 for his pioneering work with the Ministry of Justice has led to the ground breaking project Halle4Brass. Malcolm Brownbill combined his love of music with life as a serving police officer completing over twenty years as Musical Director of The Merseyside Police Military Band. He has acted as Professional Conductor with such brass bands as Wingates, Rochdale Wilson's, Cory and Laporte Industries. Malcolm adjudicates widely and has officiated at The Royal Albert Hall and Symphony Hall Birmingham.

Fourth Section

Mike Kilroy and Colin Hardy

Mike Kilroy has been principal euphonium of Wingates, Yorkshire Imperial Metals, Leyland DAF, Fairey Band, Grimethorpe Colliery and Brighouse and Rastrick. From 2002 Mike was Principal Euphonium of Desford Colliery Band before taking up the position of Principal Euphonium with YBS now Hammonds Saltaire Band in March 2008 enjoying many successes at Major Contests in the UK and abroad during his playing career. He has recorded three solo albums and provided tracks for commercial TV and Radio, including music for Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue's engagement on the Australian Soap 'Neighbours'. Colin Hardy played Baritone for Brighouse and Rastrick and Black Dyke over an extensive career which saw him win multiple Open and National championships. In 1983 he became the Conductor of The Drighlington Band and during his 10 year stay took them from the Fourth Section to the Championship Section in 7 years. He now concentrates on freelance Conducting and Adjudicating is in high demand at contests across the country.