Meet our Musical Director - Andrew Dennis

I started my conducting career when studying A Level music. At the time I was Principal cornet with the Notts County Concert Band. During my 5yrs with them (the highlight of which was winning the World Youth Band Championships in Vienna) the conductor was Lt. Colonel George Evans, (at the time the Senior Director of Music for the British Army), from whom I gained valuable experience.

My conducting career with brass bands started at Huthwaite Prize Band and then with Bestwood Black Diamonds Band as bandmaster (when Marie Smith was conducting the band!).

In 1994 I became Musical Director of the Kirkby Colliery Welfare Brass Band, who were at the bottom of the 4th Section. During my 4 years with them, they became the most successful band in the midlands area, achieving FOUR consecutive appearances at the National Finals and gaining two promotions. At this time, I was also assistant conductor at Nottingham City Transport Band (then in the Championship Section).

In 1998, I had a short spell with Dronfield Band (18months), then in 2001 took the position of MD with Chapeltown Silver Prize Band. Having come last at the Yorkshire Area Contest before I joined, Chapeltown achieved two consecutive 3rd places in the Yorkshire First Section area contest. I was also the producer and sound editor of a CD recording by the band.

In 2003 I became MD of the South Yorkshire Police Band. Whilst taking the band, they achieved notable results at various contests - a 2nd Place at the prestigious Pontins Championships 2005, winners of the Wilkinsons contest in St Helens 2005, 3rd place at the Yorkshire area contest in 2004, winners of the North East Midlands Brass Band Association Contest 2006, as well as a highly successful tour of Malta crowned by a performance at the Valletta Military Tattoo, alongside the famous Pipes and Drums of the Black Watch Military Band. The band was promoted to the Yorkshire area First Section in 2007. My association with the band ended in December 2007.

I am currently an 11th Session Tutor at West Notts Music School in Mansfield on Saturday mornings, where I tutor the Concert Band, Swing Band and Brass ensemble. I also provide private tuition for Brass Instruments and Music Theory. In my life outside of music, I am a partner in Chatsworth Financial Consultancy, a firm of Independent Financial Advisers.