Aussie MD in search for Scottish brass band

It’s not unusual to post requests from bands looking for a new resident conductor or musical director, but here is an announcement from an MD seeking a band.

Australian Keith Symes is relocating to Scotland – most probably around the Borders – from his current home in Cumbria and would like to take up the baton again with a brass band.

He has taken bands in all sections to championship wins during his career and is now seeking a similar challenge with a Scottish outfit.

Keith learned to play the trumpet at the age of 14 in the Salvation Army and went on to play solo cornet with several SA bands in Melbourne.

As well as playing in pit orchestras for many amateur theatre companies, he was a member of the Victorian State Concert Orchestra, a couple of big bands and a concert band.

He also played solo cornet with Australia’s Diamond Valley Brass and Essendon Brass Band, soprano with Dandenong Brass Band and, in the UK, flugel horn with Fulham Brass Band in West London.

Keith studied conducting under Robert Rosen, former guest conductor with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

He has considerable contesting experience at various levels of banding and has led numerous Australian bands to victory in the South Australian State Championships and the Victorian State and Regional Championships.

During a visit to the UK in 2014-15, he was invited to rehearse several bands, including Coventry Festival Brass, Darlington Brass Band, Northern Ireland champions Laganvale (Metal Technology) Band, Liskeard Brass Band, Amington Band and Ibstock Brick Brass.

Keith’s banding CV can be downloaded here. He can be contacted at ksymes1954@gmail.com or on 07575 081962.