Kevin Birch

Playing History

In 2007 Kevin accepted the position of composer in residence with the band. A former playing member of the band Kevin became involved with the band again in 2006 when his son Nicholas joined the band.
During his playing years with the band he played horn, baritone and Eb Bass and also had a spell as bandmaster. This was a successful period with the band winning many competitions in this country and on its fruitful trips to Holland. Kevin's family has a real history of musical tradition and he pestered mum and dad to learn the piano which he did from the age of seven and followed on to the church organ continuing in the footsteps of both his father and grandfather. Many Uncles, Aunt's, Brothers and Sisters were singers and instrumentalists. It was has father's interest in following the Foden Motor Works Band where he first heard the sounds of brass. On many occasions listening to rehearsals at the bandroom in Elworth. It was through this that Kevin , a trumpet player at this time joined the Middlewich Band (now Roberts Bakery) on Second Baritone just after they had won the Fourth Section area contest and stayed with them to compete in the Championship Section some years later then having progressed through Solo Baritone to the Solo Euphonium Chair. From 1994 to 2006 Kevin had a very succesfull period conducting Audley Brass .The band achieving many awards including a hatrick of contest wins in the space of a month in 1999 as it progressed from the fourth to the second section.Kevins started to composed and arranged music for brass band in the 1980's. Some pieces have been recorded for "Listen to the Band" and also on CD and Cassette recordings. Part of his scope as a composer has involved writing music in conjunction with the National Lottery where bands have benefited from funding. His appointment as composer in residence has not only seen regular concert and contest performances by the band, but has also brought his music to the attention of North Music Holland who now publish his new arrangements and compositions. A number of his earlier arrangements are published Ravencar Music(Sheffield). For more information about the availability of Kevins work please feel free to visit his own webpages at kevinbirchmusic.googlepages.com

Personal Biography

Composer in Residence

Photography by Skilly and Carl Ball