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 then 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. 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 until 2001 when he devoted more time to composing and teaching. Graham was reunited with the Drighlington Band in the summer of 2007 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, Lindley 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. His 13 minute composition 'Pentacle' was a prize winner for the Swiss National Brass Band composition competition and was subsequently selected as the test piece for the 1st section finals at the Swiss National Championships, held in Montreux in 2007. In March 2009, Graham realised one of his life long ambitions when Pentacle was selected as a test piece for the 8 National Brass Band Chompionship Regional Finals. The piece was performed by approximately 100 bands all across the UK. A number of his arrangements and compositions are published by Faber Music Ltd & Kirklees Music.