Adjudicator & AoBBA Member

Dr Stephen Cobb, Territorial Music Director for the United Kingdom Territory, oversees all aspects of The Salvation Army's musical and arts ministries. In addition to that major responsibility, he has directed since 1994 the premiere brass band of the denomination, the International Staff Band. In these positions he has ably followed some of The Salvation Army's most famous music leaders and conductors. Stephen has led The International Staff Band through an exciting period of innovation that has seen the band's profile in the wider brass band movement significantly raised. His innovative leadership in SA music has brought about a renewed vigour to that great musical tradition, marked symbolically by the establishment of the Territorial Youth Band (directed by Dr Cobb), a group made up of the finest young players in the territory. In 2010 Dr. Cobb received the Iles Medal of the Worshipful Company of Musicians for his contributions to brass bands and their music. A music educator by profession and training (his initial degrees the MA and BA (Hons) Cert-Ed), in July 2006 Dr Cobb completed the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts, in instrumental conducting, at Salford University. As Bandmaster of The International Staff Band, and until recently Bandmaster of the Hendon Salvation Army Band (29 years service), Stephen has achieved the highest standards of musicianship and musical ministry, providing outstanding models for the world?wide Salvation Army musical fellowship. Recordings, concerts, and international tours with both ensembles have received the highest critical praise and affirmation. The International Staff Band's recent appearances in major brass banding events, including the Gala Concert following the National Brass Band Championships and other shared concert and recording projects with both the Black Dyke Band and Buy As You View Band have been rewarding and stimulating.