Steve Sykes composer / arranger

Steve Sykes is without doubt one of the finest soloists to emerge from the british brass scene.
His musical roots are firmly based in Yorkshire brass bands beginning with Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band. In 1978 he accepted an invitation by Elgar Howarth to join the famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band as Principal Tuba and Soloist. With Grimethorpe he performed as soloist throughout Europe and Australia. During this period Steve was awarded the prestigious title of 'Granada Television Soloist of the Year'.
Because of an ever-increasing demand for Steve's talent both as soloist, conductor and clinician, he now works as a freelance musician appearing in the USA, Canada, Europe and Scandinavia and is a firm favourite with players and audiences alike.
Because of an ever-increasing demand for Steve's talent both as soloist, conductor and clinician, he now works as a freelance musician appearing in the USA, Canada, Europe and Scandinavia and is a firm favourite with players and audiences alike.
Many compositions for solo tuba and orchestra/band have been inspired by, dedicated to and premiered by him, including major works by Ellerby, Golland and Brand. One of the busiest soloists in the U.K, forthcoming engagements will see him performing in Australia, New Zealand, America, Canada and, of course, Europe.
Steve has been directing Championship section bands since the age of 22 -among his professional conducting appointments have been famous ensembles such as
CWS (Co-op) (Glasgow) and SunLife (Stanshawe). He has directed bands at the National Finals, British Open, All England Masters and European Championships and, of course, has many commercial recordings and national radio broadcasts to his name.
Steve works with many bands throughout the year, these include BAYV (Cory), Leyland, Fairey, Tredegar, BTM etc.
He has presented British regional conducting workshops on behalf of the National Association of Brass Band Conductors and conducting seminars on behalf of the North American Brass Band Association in Washington DC.

He regularly appears as an adjudicator at leading music festivals throughout Britain, North America, Norway and Switzerland. As a measure of his standing in the brass band movement he was recently invited to adjudicate at the National Brass Band Finals in London's Royal Albert Hall and in March 2001 Steve adjudicated at the Yorkshire Regional Championships - regarded by many has the hottest seat in brass band adjudication! Steve is included in the British Federation of Bands' list of approved adjudicators.

Steve has appeared as guest artist with many famous ensembles including the U.S. Army Orchestra, HM Royal Marines, the Norwegian Navy Band, the Netherlands Brass Ensemble, the Canadian Air Force Band, Chicago Staff Band and UNC Symphonic Wind Ensemble. He has performed as soloist at the world renowned Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinic (Chicago) – sharing the stage with jazz greats Bill Watrous and Arturo Sandoval. In 2002 he presented a solo recital in London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall.
Steve's latest CD is now in production and features accompaniments by The Royal Norwegian Navy Band, Brass Band De Bazuin (Oenkerk) – Holland and pianist Richard Phillips.
Steve is also a member of the 'World Of Brass' Sextet which has amongst it's ranks the finest members of both contesting and Salvation Army bands - i.e. Richard Marshall and Brett Baker (Black Dyke Band), Phillip Cobb and Andrew Van Der Whele (International Staff Band) and Sheona White (YBS).
His many music arrangements are published by Warner Bros (USA), Bernearts Music (Belgium), De Fiftriem (Netherlands), Editions Frank (Switzerland) and his own publishing house Perfect Pitch Music www.perfectpitch.org.uk
He is tuba tutor at the celebrated 'Brass Band Summer School' (Oxford) and the 'International Brass Band Summer School' (Sedbergh/Swansea) where he is now also responsible for the Brass Band Conducting Course. Steve is lecturer in low brass studies at Bath Spa University College and is tutor and Professor of Brass to HM Royal Marines Band in Portsmouth, Plymouth, Lympstone and Dartmouth.
Steve has been engaged as clinician (and responsible for instrument development) by the Yamaha Corporation and Besson Musical Instruments.
He is a trustee of 'Brass Band Aid', a charity involving brass musicians worldwide raising funds for 'World Vision'. Visit the BBA website at www.brassbandaid.com. Steve, 49, lives in Somerset, his wife Joanne, 36, is a brass and woodwind instrumental teacher and Music Co-ordinator in the county. She is freelanceMusic Director and is a trumpet/cornet soloist of high regard. Eldest son Stephen, 16, is a trombonist with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. This year he was a brass finalist in the prestigious BBC Young Musician of the Year competition, In November 2006 he became British Open Solo Champion in the under 17 section.