Our Bass Section

Steve Sykes - Eb Bass

His musical roots are firmly based in Yorkshire brass bands - in 1978 he accepted an invitation by Elgar Howarth to join the famous Grimehtorpe Colliery Band as Principal Tuba and Soloist. With Grimethorpe he performed as soloist throughout Europe and Austalia.

During this period Steve was awarded the prestigious title of 'Granada Television Soloist of the Year'. Because of an ever-increasing demand for Steve's talent both as soloist, conductor and clinician, he now works as a freelance musician appearing in Canada, Europe and Scandinavia and is a firm favourite with players and audiences alike.

Many compositions for solo tuba and orchestra/band have been inspired by, dedicated to and premiered by him, including major works by Ellerby, Golland and Brand. One of the busiest soloists in the U.K. forthcoming engagements will see him performing in Australia, New Zealand, America, Canada and, of course, Europe. Steve has been directing Championship section bands since the age of 22 - among his professional conducting appointments have been famous ensembles such as CWS (Glasgow) and Sun Life (Stanshawe).

He has directed bands at the National Finals, British Open, All England Masters and European Championships and , of course, has many commercial recordings and national radio braodcasts to his name. He regularly appears as an adjudicator at leading music festivals throughout Britain, North America, Norway and Switzerland.

As a measure of his standing in the brass band movement he was recently invited to adjudicate at the National Brass Band Finals in London's Royal Albert Hall and in March 2001 Steve adjudicated at the Yorkshire Regional Championships - regarded by many as the hottest seat in brass band adjudication! Steve is included in the British Federation of Bands' list of approved adjudicators.

Steve has appeared as guest artist with many famous ensembles including the U.S. Army Orchestra, HM Royal Marines, the Norwegian Navy Band, the Netherlands Brass Ensmble, the Canadian Air Force Band, Chicago Staff Band and UNC Symphonic Wind Ensemble. He has performed as soloist at teh world renown Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinic (Chicago) - sharing the stage with jazz greats Bill Watrous and Arturo Sandoval. In 2002 he presented a solo recital in London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall.

He is tuba tutor at the celebrated 'Brass Band Summer School' (Oxford/Bromsgrove) and the 'International Brass Band Summer School' (Brecon/Sedbergh/Swansea). Steve is lecturer in low brass studies at Bath Spa University College and frequently tutors HM Royal Marines brass instrumetalists at Lympstone, Plymouth and Portsmouth. Steve is a prolific music arranger for brass - he has music series published by Warner Brothers (USA), Editions Frank (Switzerland), Bernaerts Music (Belgium) and his own publishing company Perfect Pitch. He has been commissioned to write technical articles in 'The British Bandsman' and 'The Brass Herald' and has appeared in print as reviewer in many leading music periodicals. His latest solo cd 'Sykology' has now been released and is recieving acclaim not only from low brass aficionados but also from the wider musical world.

Simon Howell - Eb Bass

Simon was born in Swansea, South Wales, and began playing brass from an early age. He soon progressed through the West Glamorgan Music Service, gaining principal chairs with the National Youth Brass Band of Wales, National Youth Wind Orchestra of Wales and National Symphonic Brass of Wales.

After studying at RWCMD, he furthered his education by recently graduating from The Royal Academy of Music, London, studying under Patrick Harrild (LSO). During his time at the Academy he won various brass prizes including the Mark Elliot Brass Prize and the MA Maud Morgan Award. Simon enjoys playing with a wide range of ensembles which has seen him perform on live broadcasts on BBC Radio, Channel 4, S4C and ITV Television and session recordings for TV commercials including "Mcdonalds". This has seen him work with numerous celebrities including Rick Wakeman, Sir Roger Moore and Dame Felicity Lott and is an extra the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal National Scottish Orchestra.

Robert Graham-White

Robs musical career began when he took up the trumpet at the age of nine. Discovering that the trumpet was not for him, his brass instruments grew as he did, eventually settling on the tuba.

Rob started his banding in 2006 and enjoyed the successes with Newbridge Celynen Band, also performing with Tredegar Town Band and The Flowers Band.

Fraser Bish - Bb Bass

I started playing at school as a 12 year old on Baritone, but the only position at my local band (BSC Port Talbot) was on Eb Bass, so I switched instruments and through my tutor, Peter Shepherdm gained a position in the band. I spent 11 years at BSC PT on Eb bass until I was approached by Lewis Merthyr in 1989 and offered the position of principal Eb. This I took & spent 2 years with the band gaining experience of Championship brass playing.

In 1991, as well as playing for Lewis Merthyr I got involved with "The Glamorgan Brass Consort" Quintet which consisted of Chris Parry & Adrian Morton on Trumpets, Alun Williams (sledge) on French Horn, John Ward on Euphonium & myself on Eb bass. We had tremendous times at home & abroad and also produced a cassette!! In the same year (1991), I recieved a phone call from Adrian Morton who was then the principal Cornet of Parc & Dare to play BBb bass in a concert, but I explained that I had never blown a BBb before but he said they were desperate and before I knew it I was blowing BBb bass & became a member of Parc & Dare Brass Band.

Three years down the line (1994) & lots more experience gained from playing with a quality band I was poached by Tredegar Town Band and offered the principal BBb Bass position within the band. This I took without a second thought as Tredegar at the time were the band of the 90's and had a maestro in front of the band in Nicholas Childs. I really enjoyed my time with Tredegar & gained some unforgettable contest/concert performances and forged some lasting friendships within the band.

In march 2000 I was approached by Cory & offered solo BBb bass with a band that was creating quite a stir and recruiting some awesome players around the stands. This position I accepted as from the age of about 10 my main ambition was to play for a famous brass band and win the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain at the Albert Hall.........well you all know how the story turns out & suffice to say im a very happy/proud chappy indeed !!!!!!

Whilst being a bass player with all the bands I've mentioned - my other love is rugby and from the age of sixteen until I was 30 I played Tight Head Prop for schools XV, Taibach youth, Wales youth, Taibach 1&2 XV, Aberavon RFC & Welsh Districts where I gained many honours and trophies which I am also proud about.

John Prosser - Bb Bass

My playing career started at the age of nine at Blaina band under the baton of the late Gwyn Jones. I played Soprano Cornet with great mediocrity until the late 1970's, before a short spell on Bb Cornet. Due to Blaina Band disbanding in the late Seventies, I was forced into the Brass Band doldrums.

In 1978 I was asked to help Markham Band in the Radio Wales competition on Baritone, from this I stayed for two and a half years, finally playing Eb Bass under the baton of Jim Davies the then Principal Cornet with Cory.

In 1981 a position on Eb Bass arose at Cory, which I was fortunate enough to secure. My playing career since has taken in some of the most memorable experiences anyone could wish to have, including four National titles, one British Open, two Europeans and numerous years as Welsh Champions.