At
the heart of the main band is the conductor, Ben Tierney, who
joined the band in February 2001. Born in Kelty Fife, Scotland he started
playing cornet in the local village band at the age of nine. Over the next
few years Ben took part in various
competitive events, winning Regional and National accolades taking part on
TV talent shows before taking to the trumpet and playing in a Scottish
Country Dance Band at the age of 16.
Ben joined the RAF Music Services in 1962 serving in Uxbridge, Singapore,
Germany, Cyprus, Japan, Australia and New Zealand and finishing in North
Yorkshire. During this time he studied conducting with Eric Banks. In 1968
Ben began part time teaching for North Yorkshire and he was invited into a
full time
position in 1974 where he has remained ever since.
Over
the years, Ben has conducted and played in several bands in the Yorkshire
area. He formed the Area Schools Concert Band in Harrogate in the 1970’s.
He has had many competition and festival successes with brass and wind
bands. These have involved finals in the Albert Hall and the Festival Hall,
London working alongside such notables as Patrick Moore, Emma Johnson, Derek
Southcott, Nicholas & Robert and David Childs, Kenny Baker and Gordon Higginbottom.
A number of Ben’s pupils
have progressed to professional playing in principal positions of
orchestras, singing positions in operas and even in rock bands; Tim Kellet
with 'Simply Red'; Patrick Addinall, Principal Trumpet at the BBC
Philharmonic after being appointed at the age of 21.
John
Kendrew brings a wealth of experience to the Training Band. John
studied under the principal clarinettist of the London Symphony Orchestra,
and is a former Kneller Hall and Military Band principal clarinettist and
conductor.
John taught wind at Essex University and Harrogate Ladies College. He
was once offered a post with the Halle Orchestra, but had to turn it down
because of his commitment at that time to youth social work.
Over the years, John's love of music never waned and in the 1960's he was
asked to take over and revive the Knaresborough Silver Band. He was
Director of Music for four years. In that time he brought the band up
to a very high standard, culminating in conducting two brass band concerts
for the BBC.
Since the 1970's John has been busy bringing up his family. He decided
to come out of retirement in 2001 and since then he has been playing in the
main band and conducting the Training Band.
