BioGRAPHY - Huw Thomas

 Born in Cardiff in 1974. Huw took up the cornet at age 11 and joined the Tongwynlais Band. He knew he was destined to make a career in music, so took up the trumpet and in 1992 was awarded a place in the National Youth Orchestra of Wales under Elgar Howarth. Soon after this he won a place at the Birmingham Huw ThomasConservatoire studying for a B. Mus (Hons). On leaving the Conservatoire he took a job playing Co-Principal Trumpet with the Orquestra Do Norte in Portugal, a position he held for 2 years. During this time he performed with the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra and also toured with Andrea Bocelli.
On returning to the UK, he accepted an invitation to conduct Melton Town Band. After 18 months Huw was appointed to The Kibworth Band as Resident Conductor where he enjoyed working closely with John Berryman. During this time he also conducted the CD debut of the Foresters Brass Ensemble entitled 'Dexterity'.
Soon after, Huw embarked on a PG Dip. course in Conducting at Salford University under Professor David King – this led to work with the Thoresby Band and many guest appearances with Championship Section bands.
In 2004 he was awarded the Denis and Maud Wright Conducting Award in which he conducted the Faireys Band and he was also runner-up in the North-West Brass Band Conductor of the Year.
Huw was appointed MD of The Enderby Band in 2005, and during his tenure the band had numerous successes, including winning the Open Section of the West Midlands Association Contest where Huw was also awarded the  J.R Memorial Cup for conducting the winning band.           Huw was very privileged to have recently made his orchestral conducting debut with the Sinfonia Tamesa in London performing works by Tchaikovsky and Beethoven.                                                            As an MA music student at Durham University (specialising in conducting) Huw enjoys studying with Ray Farr, one of the best known conductors in the country. This close association has developed a keen interest in orchestral conducting and also in contemporary music.       During 2008 Huw made his BBC Radio 2 debut on 'Listen to the Band' with Pennine Brass from Yorkshire. Also, Huw was announced as runner up in the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britian's search for an Assistant Conductor to Bramwell Tovey. He is currently MD of Staffordshire Band (Midlands Championship Section) and Towcester Band (Midlands First Section). 

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