Bill Geldard receives British Empire Medal

Renowned trombonist and arranger Bill Geldard has been awarded the British Empire Medal for Services to Music in the 2022 Queen's Birthday and Platinum Honours. 

Born in 1929, he has enjoyed a remarkable musical career, becoming a professional musician at the age of 15 and going on to play with the Central Band of the RAF during his National Service. He was a founder member of the George Evans Orchestra, played and arranged for the Ted Heath Orchestra. He later formed his own Tentette and Big Band and was a guest conductor of the BBC Radio Orchestra and became widely admired as an inventive arranger of background music for film and television.

Bill Geldard conducted the Oxted and Horsham Borough Bands, leading both to contest victories and also adjudicated in Norway. His arrangements of 'Stardust' and 'Autumn Leaves' have become classic and much-loved trombone solos of the brass band repertoire. In 2019 he was the recipient of the British Trombone Society's ‘Outstanding Achievement Award’ and continues to share his innate musicianship leading local big bands.

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