Iles Medal for Ian Porthouse
The Worshipful Company of Musicians has announced that Ian Porthouse will be the recipient of the 2020 Iles Medal. The Iles Medal was established in 1947 by John Henry Iles, a former Master of the Company, and is awarded annually to musicians who have made a significant contribution to the brass band movement.
Ian first became known to the brass band movement as a cornet player. He was appointed principal cornet of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain at the age of 16. He later held the same role with many of the UK's leading bands, including Leyland, Desford, Black Dyke, Fairey, Yorkshire Building Society and Tredegar.
Following success as Musical Director with Pennine Brass which he founded, he was appointed Musical Director of Tredegar Town Band in 2008. While consistently achieving contest success, including two British Open victories, his development of an imaginative musical ethos has seen the band become a leading creative force in reaching out to new audiences. This has included a ground breaking link with composer Gavin Higgins and the Rambert Ballet Company leading to the critically acclaimed world premiere of 'Dark Arteries' at Sadler's Wells in 2015. Under his leadership Tredegar has also performed at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Bruckner Festival in Austria, Speaker’s House within the Palace of Westminster, The Old Vic Theatre London and recorded a major portion of the film score to the BAFTA award-winning film 'Pride'
As Head of Brass Band Studies at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, where Tredegar is the brass band in residence, he has enhanced the profile and educational reputation of the course, enabling students to work and be tutored by leading exponents of brass playing.
.gif)
