Adjudicator & AoBBA Member

Gordon has been involved in Brass Bands and their music since the age of 10. He was taught in school by the Black Dyke Legend – Geoff Whitham.

When he was 16, Gordon started his Championship Section playing career (which continues today) when he was invited to join the bass section of the Band of Yorkshire Imperial Metals under Trevor Walmsley DFC.

In the 1980’s alongside a career as a Police Officer, Gordon started conducting bands.

Gordon has conducted numerous brass bands in and around Yorkshire on a permanent and freelance basis. In a recent period of four years, he took the York RI Band, then a struggling Third Section band, to the National Finals four years consecutive with two Area Titles and Finals podium finishes and gaining promotion to the First section.

“I enjoy the challenge of building bands by hard work and motivation, getting the best out of the players there by valuing everyone’s contribution. You can’t just make a band, you have to grow it”.

Gordon speaks fondly of his mentor Geoffrey Whitham - A master musician as a player, conductor and adjudicator who did far more than teach him to be a player. Gordon feels very fortunate that Geoff spent time helping him in his early experiences of adjudicating with advice (and a few unrepeatable anecdotes!).

Upon joining AoBBA, Gordon commented: “The world today has opened the adjudication of band contests to ‘instant punditry’ via Social Media, leading to some healthy scrutiny of decisions made by our adjudicators. There is now a greater need to have thoroughly competent, trained, trusted and credible adjudicators available to contest organisers. An adjudicator's decision and comments on a performance have a massive impact on a band and it’s musicians. It must always be fair and positive”.