Article taken from derwentbrass.co.uk
Following the news of Musical Director Keith Leonard’s retirement earlier in the year, the management team at Derwent Brass has been hard at work over the summer to appoint a replacement. From a humbling collection of applications from across the UK and even abroad, the band stepped through a lengthy and detailed evaluation process and are now extremely proud to announce its new musical leadership team. The young and talented Jack Capstaff takes over the role of Music Director, joining alongside the highly respected and experienced Mark David in the role of Artistic Director.
Firstly, having conducted an array of brass bands, most recently the Yorkshire Imperial Band, Jack brings with him an impressive background inclusive of a BMus in Composition and Conducting from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and was this year’s runner-up at the NABBC Conductor’s competition. He is in high demand as a freelance orchestral conductor, a recognised composer and also holds a residency with the symphonic brass group Harlequin Brass Ensemble.
Jack Capstaff - Derwent Brass - Music Director: “I’m incredibly excited to be the new Music Director of such an innovative and exciting group as Derwent Brass. It isn’t very often that you find an ensemble whose aesthetics and musical values coincide so clearly with your own and I look forward to seeing what excellent musical and extra-musical results this relationship might create in the years to come.
"I was impressed with the organisation of the band from minute one of stepping through the door and once in front of the band, I was able to see what a special group of hard working and committed individuals they had along with a work ethic that will facilitate an excellent musical output.
I’m also greatly looking forward to working with Mark David, for whom I have a tremendous respect as a musician and educator, and the idea of what we might achieve together is extremely exciting.
Keith leaves very large shoes indeed to fill with Derwent, and I just hope that we can build on the considerable success and musical enjoyment that he has brought the band over the last 25 years… I can’t wait to get started.” (Jack Capstaff)
Working alongside Jack, in the role of Artistic Director is the highly renowned and talented Mark David. Mark is currently Artistic Director and Head of Brass at the Royal Academy of Music, Principal Trumpet at the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and a member of the Nash Ensemble. He has enjoyed a distinguished career as a performer in some of the most prestigious ensembles in the world and held the position of Principal Trumpet in the Philharmonia Orchestra for over twenty years.
Mark has brass bands in his roots, hailing from Cornwall he began his musical life in the St. Austell Band before going on to play with bands such as GUS under Keith Wilkinson and Bram Tovey, City of Coventry under Maj. Peter Parkes and Jones & Crossland under Stephen Roberts. Mark has programmed and conducted a wide range of brass band music often working in collaboration with Elgar Howarth and more recently has enjoyed guidance and support from Howard Snell. Mark David is a Yamaha Performing Artist.
Mark David - Artistic Director - Derwent Brass: “I have been following the activities of Derwent Brass from afar since making my home in Derbyshire four years ago and have been incredibly impressed with the breadth, ambition and originality of their artistic programme.