Gavin Sutherland (b: 1972) is a conductor, composer/arrange, pianist and music director of the English National Ballet.
Born in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, England, studied conducting, piano & orchestration at University of Huddersfield, graduated with first-class honours. He also studied as a trombonist.
He was appointed as pianist and staff conductor for Northern Ballet Theatre from 1992/98. He began working with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia on the concert platform and as the orchestra of Birmingham Royal Ballet. He has featured as a guest conductor: Royal New Zealand Ballet, English National Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, New Adventures, Norwegian National Ballet and South African Ballet Theatre. In June 2008 he was appointed Music Director of English National Ballet.
He is a prolific composer and arranger - this week his arrangement of the Christmas Song is featured on the show. Just as it will do on many brass band Christmas concerts.

A brilliant day at Lords Frames and Art Gallery Bradford Road Brighouse on Saturday 9 December. Sold lots of books but met a lot of nice people who wanted to chat both about the book and the local history of Brighouse and its surrounding communities. There were also lots of interesting questions about the town's history. Thank you to Steven Lord (the owner - ,seen in this photograph with me) for arranging the event to to the staff Juliette and Philip in the shop on the day. Further information about the book can be obtained by contacting me through my email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

John Rutter was born in 1945 and received his first musical education as a chorister at Highgate School.
He went on to study music at Clare College, Cambridge, His first published compositions and he conducted his first recording while still a student.
His compositional has embraced both large and small-scale choral works, orchestral and instrumental pieces, a piano concerto, two children’s operas, music for television, and specialist writing for such groups as the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble and the King’s Singers.
Many of the pieces he has written for Christmas have been arranged for brass bands and we are featuring two of them on this week's show.

Having been invited to carry out a book signing session of my new book 'Brighouse at Work'. I had wonderful time meeting and chating with lots of visitors. 

International Staff Band of the Salvation Army 

BM: Dr. Stephen Cobb

SP & S Recording: SPS409CD.

'...UMCHUCKS TO CADENZAS' - THE HIGHS AND BLOWS OF HIGGY...' THE MUSICAL LIFE OF GORDON HIGGINBOTTOM IN 260 PAGES - £9.99 + P/P
'Umchucks to Cadenzas' ... is a strange title for a new book, a fact even Gordon Higginbottom the author, who is one of the brass band movements true characters agrees with. As you read through his story in this fascinating book all will be revealed. The book will take the reader on a musical journey from his early start as a young bandsman to being invited to join 'The Famous CWS (Manchester) Band', under the baton of Alex Mortimer. Gordon went on to play at all the major concert and contest venues both home and abroad. His musical career saw him being invited to join and play in many of the best brass bands in the UK and a guest player at countless overseas locations.

His career was enhanced even further when he was invited to join what was to become the James Shepherd Versatile Brass.

A thoroughly fascinating read - All book enquiries to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

'From Umchucks to Cadenzas' ... is a strange title for a book, a fact even Gordon Higginbottom the author who is one of the brass band movements true characters agrees, but as you read through his story in this fascinating book all will be revealed. He is someone who it is fair to say as a tenor horn soloist has acheived legendary status throughout the brass band world. Returning to this strange title Gordon explains to the uninitiated or the 'new' generation of players just what 'umchucks' are.... THE BOOK HAS NOW SOLD OUT

The Wellington Waterside Workers’ band seen here at a mass meeting of strikers and supporters in 1913 at Newtown Park, Wellington, New Zealand. Today, this is a multi-purpose stadium in Wellington. It is currently used mostly for football (soccer) matches and athletic events. The main pitch has a 400-metre, all-weather rubberized athletics track around it, as well as the spectator stands and the corporate lounges. A second, rectangular pitch (Newtown Park 2) is attached south of the main facility.
Wellington Waterside Workers’ Union Brass Band was formed in 1912 and funded by a levy on union members. The band provided musical accompaniment for protest marches and entertainment at large meetings such as this one. Sympathetic bands around the country provided similar support to striking workers. 
The Watersiders’ band regularly performed at the annual Labour Day picnic held at Days Bay where the band would entertain more than 2500 people at Days Bay.

Enjoy