Graham Cole MMus (dist.), BMus (Hons), PGCE

Graham gained a Master of Music with Distinction at Leeds University in 2004, studying composition under the inspirational Professor Philip Wilby and specialising in composition and film scoring. Graham started as a music teacher at the renowned Heckmondwike Grammar School in 1998 after completing his initial Music Degree and teacher training at the University of Huddersfield. He is course leader for A level Music Technology, teaches up to A level music and conducts the full school orchestra in which he arranges a vast amount of music for (in-between arranging concert tours abroad including Florida last year!). He enjoys playing jazz trumpet/flugel and electric guitar as well as studio recording. Graham started his brass band career with the Drighlington Band, playing principal horn for many years up till 2001 when he devoted more time to composing and teaching. Graham was reunited with the Drighlington Band last summer when he recorded and produced their new double CD. A number of his compositions and arrangements have been performed in public, including performances by Fine Arts Brass, Hepworth Band and his ‘hometown’ Drighlington Band. Graham was the winner of the Clocktower Composition Competition in 2005 with the winning performance given by the Lindley Brass Band. A number of his arrangements and compositions are published by Kirklees Music. Following the selection of his piece 'Pentacle' for the Swiss National Championships in 2007, his current brass band ambition is to have a composition chosen for one of the big brass band contests. . . the music panel of the National Championships please take note!