Musical Directors

Duncan was born in London but moved shortly afterwards to Wakefield, West Yorkshire where his love for music grew into a passion and a profession.

He started playing the flugel horn and progressed to the tuba, which he played with many brass bands. He is now a conductor, band trainer, teacher and adjudicator. He is a leading member of the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators.

Duncan is a member of The Royal College of Music and a Fellow of Trinity College of Music. He has a degree in Music from Sheffield University and holds a P.G.C.E. from Leeds University. He also has a MA in Education from Leeds University.

As a conductor he travels widely conducting bands throughout Great Britain gaining National Championships, at all levels. He was Musical Director of the Championship Section Newstead Band for 27 years achieving many successes during that time.

Duncan has widespread experience of adjudication at all levels and is in increasing demand as a freelance conductor, adjudicator and band trainer.

During his time as the musical director of Horbury Victoria Band, Duncan has guided the band from the third section to the Championship section, and has achieved contest wins with us at every level along the way.

Michael began playing at the age of 11 for the Grimethorpe Junior Band. Michael studied for his degree and L.R.S.M in band mastership under the direction of the late Major Peter Parkes at Sheffield University, whilst being tutored on the euphonium by Billy Miller and Dr Nicholas Childs.

After gaining experience with bands such as Carlton Main Frickley, Brighouse & Rastrick and Horbury Victoria itself, Michael joined the Grimethorpe Colliery Band in 1998. He stayed with Grimethorpe for 22 years up to the end of 2019 until deciding to take a break from playing.

When bands could finally get back together again following the pandemic, Michael decided it was time for a new venture. As well as joining the senior band at Horbury where his wife was already playing, Michael took on the reigns of Musical Director of the learner, intermediate and youth bands where his two children play following the retirement of Tom Greatorex.

Michael is a peripatetic brass teacher and conductor with Barnsley Music Services and tutors for students at the University of Sheffield and the University of Leeds. He has also tutored and conducted at the Wessex Band Summer School and National Children's Brass Band of Great Britain.

As well as his teaching, tutoring, conducting and playing commitments, Michael also adjudicates. In recent years, he has adjudicated at the Scottish Championships (Championship Section and Fourth Section), Foden's Solo and Quartet Contest and twice at the Besson Scottish Solo & Ensemble Championships.