Professional Musical Director: James Gourlay

James Gourlay was born in Scotland and began to play in his local brass band at an early age. He took part in numerous solo competitions at that time and soon became Scottish Champion at junior and open levels. After studying at the Royal College of Music James Gourlay became principal tuba of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra where he remained for four years. There followed posts in the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Orchester der Oper in Zürich where James worked with most of the World's top conductors.

As a tuba soloist, James Gourlay has won international acclaim. He has toured Japan playing the Vaughan Williams Tuba Concerto accompanied by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and has appeared with the BBC Concert Orchestra at the Proms. He will also perform Harrison Birtwistle's 'The Cry of Anubis' with the BBC Philharmonic in the 2003/04 season.

James Gourlay has always had a strong commitment to new music. He has given premières of works by Lachenmann, Gregson, Horovitz, Sparke, Penderecki and Newton to name but a few. As a chamber musician, James Gourlay has been a member of the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble and the English Brass Ensemble with which he has toured the World.

Not content with simply playing the tuba, James Gourlay has made a reputation as a conductor. He has been Music Director of the Brass Band Berneroberland and the Williams Fairey Band (with whom he won the British Open Championships and the All England Masters), has conducted most of England's top brass bands and has worked with the National Youth Wind Orchestra and the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. He has also been Principal Guest Conductor of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band. James is a featured artist for both the Doyen and Polyphonic labels for whom he has recorded as a soloist and as a conductor of wind and brass bands. His latest solo recording 'East meets West' on the Doyen label has met with international acclaim and recordings of British Tuba Concertos with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, for the ASV label are planned for January 2004.

Currently, James Gourlay continues his lifelong dedication to music education with teaching engagements at the Conservatoire de Lyon, Weimar, the Eastman School of Music and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Conducting engagements include guest appearances in Lyon and Sao Paulo. He is Head of Wind and Percussion at the Royal Northern College of Music, where he been awarded an honorary Fellowship for his services to the College and to music in general.

  Resident Conductor: David Hirst

David Hirst began his musical career at the age of ten with the local village band playing cornet. He made rapid progress on the instrument, and, at the age of fourteen was accepted into the Yorkshire Imperial Metals Band.

Two years later David joined the Black Dyke Mills Band on Soprano Cornet, where he had four successful years including wins at the British Open (1972/3), National (1972) and World Championships (1970).

In 1972 David began studying music at the University of Huddersfield, being taught trumpet by Maurice Murphy. A growing interest in Orchestral and Big Band playing led him to being one of the early members of the James Shepherd Versatile Brass.

In 1978 David rejoined Black Dyke as soprano cornetist achieving success in the European Championships (1978/9) and the Nationals (1979).

In 1980 David was appointed  Musical Director of the 'Andrews Heat for Hire Band'. After five successful years he was invited to take over the role of  Musical Director of the Lewington Yamaha Band in partnership with Denis Carr and then Major Peter Parkes. In 1988 David became Resident Conductor of the  Black Dyke Mills Band and was involved in their historic tour of Australia in 1989. After two years at Black Dyke, David returned  to Yorkshire Imperial as their Musical Director.

Since 1993 David has spent much of his time as a professional conductor and adjudicator,  joining Brighouse & Rastrick in 1994.

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