Michael McCree

Ibstock Brick Brass Announce New Musical Director

Ibstock Brick Brass are delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Jon Penton as their new Musical Director as of June 2024.

Jon who is originally from Atherstone, North Warwickshire has a phenomenal background in music and in particular brass bands. He started playing at the age of 8 using his dad’s trumpet, progressing on to cornet at secondary school. After passing grade 5 cornet, it was pointed out that his tone could “take the paint off walls” and was advised to try a larger instrument. Jon moved on to euphonium and trombone whilst attending North Warwickshire College studying the double A level music course.
Jon was introduced to brass banding by his tutor at the time, Steve Cooper, which led him to Ibstock Brick Brass Band on euphonium and trombone at the age of 17. Jon has also studied with both Nick and Bob Childs, Howard Snell, Chris Houlding, James Gourlay, Steven Mead, Philip Scott to name but a few. In addition, he has also played under many famous conductors such as; Michael Fowles, James Gourlay, Tim Reynish, Frank Renton, Major Peter Parks, Jim Davis, John Miller, and Nigel Boddice.

Jon attended music college in Manchester and Birmingham, graduating with BMus(hons) 2:1 and gaining a PGCE before moving on to becoming a peripatetic brass teacher for 15 years.
Jons’ playing experience includes Sussex Concert Orchestra, Southern Youth Ballet, Opera South East, Brighton Philharmonic, and was also one of the founding members of the orchestral brass septet, Tower Brass.

As the musical director of Battle Town Band for 11 years, Jon led the band to promotion from fourth to second section and competed in the national finals twice. Currently, Jon is also MD of a Derby based community band and has recently returned to playing an instrument himself and is enjoying being part of the euphonium team at the Brass Band of Central England.

Jon is delighted with his MD appointment and says “I am very pleased to be working with a band that has so much history and pride in their outlook. A strong rapport has already developed, and I look forward to future successes.”

Players Wanted

Ibstock Brick Brass Band are based in Coalville, Leicestershire, and are a 3rd Section competing band. Rehearsing on Monday Evenings in our own band room, we are looking for Trombone and Cornet players to join our summer line up. If you are interested please contact our Band Secretary Dave on 07702510066

Players

Name	Position
TBC	Musical Director
LeeAnne Wilkins ATCL	Principal Cornet
Sophie Cruse	Assistant Principal Cornet
David Brough	Solo Cornet
VACANCY	Solo Cornet
Simon Wilkins	Soprano Cornet
VACANCY	Repiano Cornet
Tina Tyler	2nd Cornet
VACANCY	2nd Cornet
Alan Hind	3rd Cornet
VACANCY	3rd Cornet
Simon Coope	Flugelhorn
Sue Boyles	Solo Horn
Gemma Handley	1st Horn
Katie Hill	2nd Horn
Jack Rudin	Solo Euphonium
Owen Leech	2nd Euphonium
Ian Partner	1st Baritone
Darryl Lane	2nd Baritone
Mhairi MacDonald	Solo Trombone
Rob McVey	2nd Trombone
Mike McCree	Bass Trombone
Emma Palmer	Eb Bass
Steve Boyles	Eb Bass
David Wright	Bb Bass
Gary Ball	Bb Bass
Ian Foster	Percussion
Mark Rennocks	Percussion
Andrew Stanton	Percussion

History

The Band was originally formed in 1971 as the Coalville Band, with one of the founder members still playing in the band today, Dave Wright. With escalating costs it was necessary to find sponsorship and in 1977 a local company, Ibstock Building Products Ltd. came forward and decided to give the band the sponsorship it needed, the band became known as the Ibstock Building Products Band. In March 2000 the company took the decision to change its name to Ibstock Brick Ltd. And once again that meant a change of name for the band, giving it its name today, The Ibstock Brick Brass Band.

The band travels all over the United Kingdom to play in concerts and contests and have made two trips to France to give concerts. Fortunes in contest seasons have been varied, but over the years a large number of prizes have been won. Highlights have included playing in the National Finals of Great Britain at the Royal Albert Hall and taking part in the Grand Shield held at the world famous Belle Vue.

In 2000 the band won the 2nd Section Midlands Regional Championships giving them the chance once again to take part in the National Finals of Great Britain at the Royal Albert Hall in London where in the millennium year, the band gained third prize.

They recently gained 1st prize in the 2nd section of Midlands Regional Championships giving them the chance once again to take part in the National Finals of Great Britain at the centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse.

Musical Director – Luke Atkinson

Ibstock Brick Brass are extremely proud to announce the appointment of young talented musician, Luke Atkinson, as their new Musical Director.

Luke, 27, comes from a brass band family and was given a cornet at the age of four. He achieved his grade four exam of playing by the age of 12 and it was at this point Luke joined Hathern Youth Band. During this time, it was decided that he was too big for the cornet and was given a bass to try. He’s never looked back since.

At the age of 14 Luke was given the opportunity to join his first senior band, Ibstock Brick Brass on Eb Bass. This was down to his mum Carole, who is the band’s present flugal player, who took him down for a blow and continued to guide him through his musical career.

Luke joined Oddfellows Brass Band to compete in one of the biggest contests in the brass band calendar, the National Finals at Harrogate. Whilst at Oddfellows at the age of 16 Luke won the best soloist prize at the West Midlands Brass Band Association Contest for his Eb Bass solo in Journey into Freedom. From this Luke was offered a place at John Cleveland College where he studied his A Levels. During his college days Luke joined Wigston Band under the direction of Gary Sleath who nurtured him through his playing and enabled him to play for Leicestershire Schools Symphony Orchestra, including a tour of Prague.

In 2014 Luke received a scholarship to study Tuba at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and joined Staffordshire Brass Band under the conductor of his good friend David Purkiss. Luke has enjoyed a highly successful career as a Bass player in some of the most prestigious brass bands in the Midlands. Notably, he spent two successful years with the GUS Band and a brief period with the Desford Colliery Band before finding his place with the Ratby Band. His
musical prowess also led him to dep with other renowned bands as a guest, including Tredegar, Flowers, and Fodens.Luke’s passion for conducting flourished during his time at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. There, he gained experience leading various student-led ensembles, laying the foundation for his conducting career.

Presently, he continues to nurture his talent as a conductor in his day job with the Nottingham Music Hub, where he guides and directs various ensembles. Notably, he has been able to conduct the Robin Hood Youth Orchestra for various pieces, leaving a positive mark on aspiring young musicians. Luke said “I am thrilled to accept the post of musical director for the Ibstock Brick Brass Band. I eagerly look forward to collaborating with this talented group of musicians, excited about the opportunities that lie ahead in taking the band forward.”

“The band are extremely excited and positive to have Luke at the helm, with his inspirational musicianship the band are looking forward to new and exciting times with this young conductor of the future”

Cornets

If you are interested in this position, or have an interest in playing with Ibstock Brick Brass Band please do not hesitate to get in touch.

All applications are handled with the strictest of confidence.