Beckley awarded 2022 Mortimer Medal
The Worshipful Company of Musicians, one of the City of London’s historic livery companies, awards The Mortimer Medal annually in recognition of outstanding service to the brass band movement. The Mortimer Medal recognises service in fostering new generations of brass band musicians, having been endowed in 1995 in memory of Harry Mortimer by his widow, Margaret Mortimer.
This year Duncan Beckley has been awarded the Mortimer Medal in recognition of is pioneering work in promoting social inclusion in the brass band movement both in youth music education and in adult education in his work with community bands. He began working as a brass peripatetic teacher in Leeds in1992 at the age of 24, and in 1994 he received the Yorkshire Black Achievement Award in recognition of his brass teaching with disadvantaged children in Leeds. In 2001 he completed 25 years’ unbroken service with Education Leeds. He holds a Masters degree in Music Education, and has worked as an Assistant Headteacher in a school for pupils with special educational needs.
Duncan also works extensively in the field of lifelong music education as a trainer and conductor of community brass bands. He played a major role in the musical development of the Bolsover-based Newstead Band, serving as its conductor from 1989 to 2016.In 2001 he became the first black conductor to direct a band at the Brass in Concert competition. This pioneering work was repeated in 2002 at the British Open Championships, and in 2006 at the National Brass Band Championships at the Royal Albert Hall.
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