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Gareth L Westwood B Mus (Hons) / Grad RNCM
Gareth L Westwood
Gareth, who grew up in the small village of Pontllanfraith in the South Wales Valleys, started playing trombone at the age of 13 in his local secondary school.
Shortly after, Gareth joined Oakdale Silver Band and played both Bass and Tenor Trombone during his time there. Whilst at Oakdale, Gareth was quick to progress and in 1999 earned a position playing with the National Youth Orchestra of Wales. Gareth was appointed Principal Trombone, a position that saw him lead the section playing both Trombone and Euphonium, a year later in 2000 until he left the Orchestra in 2003.
During this period Gareth gained various awards and prizes including the ‘Caerphilly County Young Musician of the Year’; The ‘Ffrancon Thomas Award for Outstanding Contribution to the National Youth Orchestra of Wales’ as well as the coveted ‘Jon’ award.
In 2000 Gareth moved to Manchester to undertake a Bachelors Degree at the Royal Northern College of Music. Gareth’s principal study was trombone with major electives being chosen in the field of Conducting and Composition.
During this time, Gareth’s versatility as a musician allowed him to experience a wide range of performing experience. Ensembles Gareth has performed with include; the ‘Northern Chamber Philharmonic’, The Kath Dyson Jazz Octet, All RNCM Ensembles, YABB, National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, The Jazz Orchestra of the QE2 as well as most of the Nations top brass bands. Also during this time, Gareth’s passion for early music was exploited in Projects with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and a position with the Northern Cornetts and Sackbutts.
Gareth is also in high demand as a ‘pit’ musician for various professional productions.
In 2003, Gareths increasing penchant for conducting ensured him top marks in his Conducting module at the RNCM, conducting Beethoven’s 2nd with the RNCM ‘Rep’ orchestra. This led to Gareth being appointed musical director or the RNCM Clarinet Ensemble, and a featured conductor in the 2003 RNCM ‘Opera Scenes’ Production.
Since then Gareth’s love of brass has seen him conduct many brass bands across the North West and further afield.
In 2003 Gareth became the Musical director of Rhyl Silver band until 2006, winning the 2003 North Wales Championships well as gaining merit in both area contests and the Pontins Championship. He also, during this time, went on to conduct Royal Buckley Town Band at the National Finals in 2004 where he directed the band’s performance of ‘Diamond Heritage’.
Other ensembles Gareth has conducted include: Ellenbrook and Boothstown Band, the Knutsford Town band, Bostock Town Band and The Haydock Band. Gareth took the position of Musical Director at the Eagley band in the autumn of 2006.
Gareth’s love of composition has seen him compose for a variety of ensembles. Past commissions have been for both brass band as well as a number of brass quintets and solo items for brass, wind and strings. His arrangements and compositions are in increasing demand with his work being performed by some of the most notable names in brass. Gareth’s work has seen the concert halls of Liverpool Philharmonic to the set of ‘Coronation Street’ and he is often under commission to write new pieces, extending the repertoire for brass bands and brass ensembles whenever the opportunity arises.
Gareth currently plays trombone with the world famous Fodens Band and lives in Warrington, Cheshire working as a music teacher. He is an avid Manchester City fan can often be found feverishly supporting his team at Eastlands.