Neil Brownless is conductor of Abingdon Concert Band and I have had the pleasure of doing a joint concert with my band Abbey Brass and the Concert Band, I also attended the Aldbourne Band Conducting Course with Neil and could see then what a great conductor he was.
What age did you start playing?
I first started playing the violin when I was 7 before seeing sense and switching to the cornet at 9 and trombone at 14. I also occasionally dabble in Euphonium, Tuba and Percussion.
You are doing a lot of conducting, I am aware you were recently appointed MD at Wantage Concert, you are MD at Abingdon Concert and also taking on an orchestra in Burford?
I’ve enjoyed conducting lots of different ensembles over the last few months after so long without any in person music making. I have been musical director of Abingdon Concert Band (a wind band of around 60 players) since 2013 who I conducted to Gold awards at the regional and national events in the National Concert Band Festival in 2018 and 2019. I have recently been appointed MD of Wantage Concert Brass, following their 3rd place in the 2nd section finals, and I’m looking forward to working with such a hard-working band. A new challenge for me will be orchestral conducting when I take up the baton with Burford Orchestra in January starting with Beethoven’s 6th Symphony.
During lockdown I know you did some Music composition, have you written many pieces and is this something you enjoy?
In September I was awarded Making Music’s ‘Best Music Creator for a Leisure Time Group’ award for ‘Keep the Rhythm Going’ which I wrote to be performed by a virtual massed band last year, we had 108 musicians involved! The piece was my first ‘proper’ original composition so it is great to have been given the award. As part of the award, the piece is now available to all Making Music member bands (including Brass Bands England members) for free in the members are of the Making Music website. I definitely want to do more composition following this, I just need to find some more time around conducting.
What is your best musical memory?
In 2015 I conducted Abingdon Concert Band in two sold out performances of The Snowman. In rehearsal run-throughs we hadn’t managed to line all of the key points in the music up with what was happening on screen. When it came to the first performance every key point in the music lined up perfectly with the film, I can still remember the feeling of joy building as we got further through the score.
Who are your musical heroes/heroines?
Listening to recordings of trombonist Christian Lindberg when I was learning the trombone really helped shape me as a player. He has really pushed the boundaries of the trombone repertoire and is an incredible musician. I always enjoy playing or listening to anything written by composers Frank Ticheli and Johan de Meij. I studied the score for de Meij’s Extreme Makeover during my Master’s degree and it was so clear how he had taken the original theme and played with it through the whole piece, that helped me with my own composition.
Which bands have you conducted?
The first ensemble I conducted was Portsmouth University Big Band in 2010. The group is entirely student run and they elect a musical director every year. After university I started with assistant conductor positions at Moulton 77 Brass and Northampton Concert Band before getting the MD position at Abingdon Concert Band in 2013 and Towcester Studio Band in 2015. I also had brief spells covering the MD position with Daventry Brass and Olney Band while they were between MDs. Before starting my Master’s degree, I spent six months conducting Oxfordshire Youth Wind Orchestra preparing them for a tour to Italy. It was wonderful to be able to work with these enthusiastic young musicians and see the huge improvement in their playing.
Do you come from a musical family ?
My mum has sung with amateur choirs since she was a child, she also played the violin as a child so encouraged me and my sister to take it up. My dad isn’t a musician but enjoys listening to the likes of Pink Floyd, Meatloaf and Deep Purple so I heard lots of their music growing up.
Have you played a solo at a concert and which was your favourite ?
Whilst focussing on conducting I have jumped from band to band to fit around my conducting schedule and help bands out with gaps. I’ve played solos with most of the bands I’ve been involved in and was lucky enough to perform a trombone concerto with the Charity Symphony Orchestra in Milan, Italy a few years ago.
I know you play many instruments, what is your preferred instrument ?
Tenor trombone is my preferred instrument.
You recently completed a Masters Degree, what was the degree in ?
The Master's degree in Brass Band Conducting at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama gave me the opportunity to learn more about score preparation and rehearsal techniques from Dr Robert Childs. Having such a high calibre of musicians to work with on a weekly basis meant we could look at some more challenging repertoire. I was able to conduct both of the college's brass bands, the college wind orchestra and student-led ensembles during my course.
What are your plans for the future ?
In the short term, I'm hoping to put everything I've learnt into practice with Wantage Concert Brass and aim for some good contest results next year. Eventually I'd like to be conducting one of the top bands and working with the players of tomorrow with a youth band.
