PAUL HOLLAND

Paul began his musical career at the age of nine when he joined his local brass band. At the age of thirteen he was appointed Principal Horn with the Gwent Youth Brass Band, at fourteen he had progressed to Solo Horn for the Parc and Dare Band and also Principal Horn of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales where he received the John Childs Memorial Trophy for the most promising player. During this time Paul was also a French Horn player in the National Youth Orchestra of Wales. He then progressed to the Solo Horn at Tredegar Band at 16 and was appointed at the Black Dyke Mills Band in 1995 at the age of 18.

Paul was also fortunate to be part of the team that made the “Grand Slam” of Brass Band titles being the European, British Open and National Titles in the same year. Paul also tutored on the Gwent Youth Band courses when available and led many master classes in and around Europe with Black Dyke and on a freelance basis.

During his service at Black Dyke, Paul played with other local bands such as YBS, Brighouse and Rastrick, Leyland, Grimethorpe and Fodens when required. As a student at the Huddersfield University he studied music and furthered his banding education under the guidance of Phillip McCann, Geoffrey Whitham, Sandy Smith and many other eminent brass band professionals. Outside of University life Paul’s main influence and passion for conducting came from Nicholas Childs, whilst playing with Tredegar, Allan Withington whilst a guest with Brighouse and Rastrick and James Watson who was the conductor at Black Dyke during his tenure there. Paul honed his teaching and conducting skills from the wealth of experience from the people he surrounded himself with whilst in Yorkshire and then returned to South Wales to settle close to his roots leaving Yorkshire in June 1999 with a BMus (Hons) degree.

Paul accepted the position of Musical Director of Newbridge (Celynen) Band in September 2002. During his time with the band they achieved 19 contest wins stretching from Third section to Championship section, were crowned League Champions of Wales 4 times, Champion Band of Wales 4 times, represented Wales in the National Championships of Great Britain 4 times, and were crowned Champion Band of Great Britain 2nd Section in 2007.

In April 2009, Paul accepted the invitation to become the musical director of the Flowers Band and has since led them to their highest ever placing at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain.