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!