Grimethorpe Appoints new Resident Conductor
Grimethorpe Colliery Band has announced the appointment of Steve Phillips as the band’s new Resident Musical Director. The Band has conducted an exhaustive application process and Steve emerged as the outstanding candidate from the large number of applicants that the band considered for the role. Band Manager Richard Windle commented: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Steve to the band. He’s made a great first impression and we’re all really looking forward to him taking the band. We had over 25 applications for the role including some very strong candidates and following two rounds of auditions Steve stood out as the conductor that will help the band achieve its ambitious plans in the future.”
Steve Phillips Commented: “I am thrilled to be working with such a talented group of musicians and a band with such fine, rich heritage. It’s already exciting to see the plans the band has for the future, and I look forward to contributing my skills to the team and seeing what we can achieve together.”
Steve comes from a Salvation Army background and specialised in conducting when studying for his BA and MA degrees at the University of Salford under the guidance of conductors Roy Newsome and David King. A Euphonium player, Steve spent several years playing with the UES Stocksbridge, Sellers International and Carlton Main Frickley Colliery bands and toured several times with the Young Ambassadors of Great Britain.
As a conductor he has worked with top section bands in Yorkshire, the Midlands, and the Southeast alongside his professional life as a Headteacher and Ofsted Inspector for which he has also had spells abroad working in Germany and Malaysia. Steve is married with 2 children and, with his wife Sonja, also provides a foster home. Steve has already taken his first official rehearsal with the band and will lead the band in their busy diary of concerts starting immediately. His first high profile event will be the Whit Friday march contest, on 2nd June.
.gif)
