AoBBA Welcomes Matthew Ryan

The Association of Brass Band Adjudicators (AoBBA) is delighted to announce Matthew Ryan has successfully completed its training programme and become a full member.
Matthew Ryan is fast becoming a leading conductor of his generation, winning the 2023 Brass Band Conductors’ Association Conducting Competition having led rehearsals on test piece and concert repertoire with Hammonds Band and Eccles Band. Following a year as Musical Director of City of Bradford Band, Matthew was announced as Musical Director of Wingates Band earlier this year, as well as having worked in rehearsal and performance with many other bands in the UK including Fodens & Grimethorpe Colliery Band. In 2024, he accepted an invitation to join the Executive Committee of the Brass Band Conductors’ Association.
Having spent the last two years on AoBBA’s trainee programme, Matthew commented: “My experience of the fantastic training programme has given me a broad taste of opportunities and a comprehensive toolkit to perform as an adjudicator. I’d like to thank all of those who have given their time, talent and knowledge to enable me grow in that experience; chief amongst those Head of AoBBA’s Training Programme, Martin Heartfield, who created two brilliant learning opportunities at consecutive National Final contests. I can’t wait to get started representing AoBBA and provide bands with good quality, constructive feedback.”
Martin Heartfield added: “Matthew’s successful completion of our training programme means we are pleased to welcome yet another valuable addition to the association, as we continue to encourage and inspire the next generation of adjudicators.”