Adjudicator & AoBBA Member

John Roberts began his musical career at the age of 10, playing cornet with Rothwell Temperance Band, eventually being appointed Deputy Conductor when he was only 21. He progressed as conductor of local Yorkshire bands reaching the final of the Young Conductor of the Year competition in 1984.
John returned to Rothwell (Wallace Arnold) in 1985, winning many contests on the way, taking the band to the Yorkshire Championship section and qualifying for the British Open in 1991 and All England Masters in 1992.
John was appointed Professional Conductor of the British Steel Teesside Band in 1993, twice winning the Isle of Man entertainment championships and qualifying for the Royal Albert Hall, before becoming MD of EYMS Band in 1997, winning the North of England Area on “Montage” in 1998.
John also joined the Yorkshire Co-Op Band (formerly Jayess Queensbury) in 1997, leading them to the Championship Section and in 2005 became the first British band to compete in the New Zealand Nationals.
In May 2006 John became Musical Director of Skelmanthorpe and for 7 years enjoyed a very successful relationship - twice winning the Butlins 1st section, taking major titles and in 2008 winning the Yorkshire 1st section. The band was twice placed in the Yorkshire Area Championship top 6.
In September 2013 John accepted the post of Resident Conductor with the North East’s most successful band, Reg. Vardy. In September 2014 John led the band in winning the prestigious Dr Martin contest, repeated in 2015 and 2019.
Within the last decade John has also Drighlington and Unite (City of Sheffield) bands with success.
John studied under Major Peter Parkes and was a member of to the Executive of AoBBA, where for 3 years he co-ordinated and mentored candidates on the trainee adjudicators scheme.