New EBBA MC Chairman
Chris King has been announced as the new Chairman of the EBBA Music Commission, succeeding Paul Hindmarsh who was so well known to so many in the world of brass banding. As the preparations of the European Brass Band Championships 2023 which will take place in Malmö, Sweden 1-7 May 2023 are already in full swing, it’s time to present Chris to the EBBC bands and all other stakeholders in the European band movement.
This championships in Malmö will be the first with Chris King as Chairman of the European Brass Bands Associations Music Commission. Chris became a member of the Music Commission in 2021 and was elected as the Chairman at the Annual General Meeting 1 May 2022 in Birmingham, England. Chris King started his interest in music while playing the cornet with various brass bands in Lincolnshire, going on to serve as a musician in the British Army for 25 years, culminating his service as Bandmaster of the Band of the Grenadier Guards in London.
As a conductor Chris began his relationship with the Friary Brass Band as Musical Director in 2006. During his tenure, the band has had repeated contest success including victory at the 2010 First Section National Championships and the 2014 Senior Trophy, London Regional champions from 2015 to 2019. Chris regularly acts as guest conductor to bands in the UK, including Grimethorpe and Desford Colliery Bands, and has also been conducting in Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
Chris has adjudicated at several prestigious competitions including various Regional Championships, Siddis Brass elite section, Brass in Concert, Wychavon Festival of Brass, and the National Championships of Great Britain. As well as being an experienced conductor and adjudicator, he is also highly regarded as a band arranger. In his daily life, Chris works as Director of Operations at a famous school in West London, where he lives together with his wife. Chris is also a Governor of two other schools, Treasurer of the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators in addition to the Chairman of the Music Commission of EBBA.
EBBA President Ulf Rosenberg explained, “Chris played a crucial role in many of the musical preparations for the EBBC 2022 in Birmingham, particularly the impressive European Youth Brass Band. He has also been an important member of the MC team with duties like preparing the set test pieces and selecting the jury panels. As a MC Chairman he will also be a full member of the Executive Committee on EBBA which has all aspects of operational, financial and strategic topics on the agenda. Having known Chris for some time I trust he with his broad knowledge in music, leadership and network will be a valuable addition to the team.”
Commenting on his appointment Chris stated, “I took on the role at the invitation of Ulf Rosenberg, but only when I knew I had the blessing of the other members of the MC, as I was fully aware that I was new to the team. I am always happy to roll up my sleeves and get into whatever work is put my way, and believe me, the MC, like the rest of EBBA team, does a great deal of work in preparation for each EBBC, often two to three years in advance of the event. I hope to be able to make a good contribution to EBBA.”
.gif)
