About Steve
Early beginnings
Steve started playing brass and percussion at the age of 8 with Porthywaen Silver Band. He went on to study music at Liverpool and Trinity College of Music in London before embarking on a career in performing arts as a conductor, performer, teacher and adjudicator.
National performances and projects
Steve is now in demand all over the UK and abroad as conductor and adjudicator, officiating at national and local association competitions.
He's been guest conductor and cornet player with some of the finest brass bands, orchestras and male voice choirs in the country and has also played keyboard and trumpet in theatrical productions all over the UK as well as working for the BBC and ITV.
He was one of the first recruits on the Welsh Regional Council adjudicators training scheme led by renowned adjudicator Mr Brian Buckley; following this enrolled on the NABBC/Salford University brass band adjudication diploma course graduating in July 2006 with a Licentiate diploma in brass band adjudication.
For 10 years he was Musical Director of North Powys County Youth Band in Mid Wales before moving over the border and working part time with Shropshire Music Service brass department.
For 17 years, Steve was employed as Head of Expressive Arts and Community Education at a large secondary school until appointed Headteacher at a specialist alternative provision school were the arts play an essential role in supporting students’ mental health, self-esteem, and wellbeing.
In tandem with his freelance work, Steve has been musical director of The Band of West Mercia Police, North Powys Youth Band, Royal Buckley Town Band, Porthywaen Silver Band, and Shrewsbury Brass Band. He has conducted many other bands including Tredegar Town Band, Cwmaman band, Point of Ayr Band, Staffordshire Band, Sovereign Brass, plus many more.
Recent work
Steve's latest project is a new brass ensemble at known as Shropshire Brass Ensemble and Steve is proud to be its first musical director.
Steve is an active conductor, adjudicator and pianist playing at weddings, christenings, funerals, masonic functions, civic occasions, and cocktail parties. Steve is also a trained Celebrant and writes and officiates weddings, funerals, and naming ceremonies. For further information visit www.pjtopnote.co.uk
Steve is regularly engaged as tutor on brass band courses and workshops throughout the UK as both conductor and brass tutor and is also a composition and music performance examiner for the AQA examination board and an Arts Award assessor for Trinity College of Music.
He is also a member of the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators and he represents Wales on the European Brass Band Association Jury.