Chris steps in for Les as youth championships adjudicator

Euphonium player and conductor Chris Shanks has stepped in as adjudicator for the Scottish Youth Championships on Sunday in Perth following the eleventh-hour withdrawal of Les Neish due to unforeseen travel difficulties and work commitments.

Chris is a product of the Salvation Army at Bellshill, Scotland, having started playing tenor horn in the junior band aged 6 before moving to euphonium eight years later. At the Royal Academy of Music and Drama (now Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) Chris studied euphonium under Dr David Thornton and Anthony Swainson as well as conducting under Nigel Boddice MBE.

Chris has a real passion for music and education and has been teaching since 2009 and is currently Faculty Head of Music and Drama at John Paul Academy in Glasgow.

He has featured as guest soloist around the UK and Ireland as well as having toured all over Europe and USA with Salvation Army groups. He also has the privilege of being the conductor of the West Scotland Divisional Youth Band and is a member of the renowned Household Troops Band.

Earlier this year Chris was delighted to join the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS) staff team.

Chris currently plays euphonium for the renowned Whitburn Band having previously played for the Co-Operative Funeralcare, Kirkintilloch, Barrhead Burgh and Kirkintilloch Kelvin Bands respectively. He became a Besson Euphonium Artist in January 2021.

Chris has been resident musical director with Reg Vardy since January after previously conducting Kinneil. He is also an adjudicator for the Scottish Concert Band Festival, having played with many of the top concert bands in the UK.

Joining Chris as youth championships adjudicators are Glyn and Helen Williams.