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When Kenneth
joined Dungannon Silver Band at the tender age of 6 no-one
could have foreseen that he was destined to become its conductor
21 years later.
Kenneth
was taught by Education Board tutors ever since Primary School,
and this progressed until he achieved Grade 8 Cornet in 1994
under the tutorship of John Black. During this time he also
enjoyed playing in the South Ulster Youth Bands under the
conductorship of Luke Burke and Jim Girvan. On leaving the
Youth Band Kenneth was advised to seek tuition at the Ulster
College of Music as his tutor had taken him as far as possible.
When Miss
Daphne Bell, (the Director of the College at that time), accepted
Kenneth into the Ulster College of Music, he was advised to
take lessons from Professor Jim Beck of the Welsh Opera Orchestra,
who was the top brass tutor there at that time. Kenneth found
his time with Professor Beck extremely rewarding and challenging,
and he soon discovered how much he had yet to learn!
From September
1996 until June 1997, Kenneth taught and conducted the Brass
Ensemble of the Royal School Dungannon on a voluntary basis.
He was responsible for preparing them for school concerts
and various other performances. During this time he discovered
that he would like to make a career in music, as he enjoyed
teaching a group of young people for the first time. The ensemble
improved greatly during the time spent with Kenneth, and Mr
Hewitt, the school’s Headmaster requested that Kenneth
stayed on for another year. Unfortunately, due to other commitments
this was not possible.
In June
1997, Kenneth received the ’Brass Award’ for ‘most
improved player’ from the Ulster College of Music at
their annual recital and awards ceremony.
Professor
Beck left the Ulster College of Music in June 1998, and since
then Kenneth has been tutored by Francis King, (Ulster Orchestra
Pianist), and Paul Young, (Principal Trumpet, Ulster Orchestra).
In September
1997 Kenneth was asked by the Committee of Dungannon Silver
Band to undertake the responsibility of teaching the learner's
class on a Monday evening. In 2001, Kenneth formed a Dungannon
Silver Youth Band consisting of 23 young members. This Youth
Band has participated in the local music festival where they
have achieved a very creditable second place. Kenneth also
entered two of his pupils in the solo categories where they
achieved a first and second place.
In February
2000 Kenneth was asked to accept the post of Conductor of
the Senior Band. He found the first few months of this appointment
very challenging, yet extremely rewarding, as some of the
older members began to improve as well as the younger members
who had recently progressed into the senior band. Kenneth's
aim is "...to bring the band back to contesting standard."
Under
the tutorship of Paul Young and Francis King, Kenneth studied
for the Associate of Trinity College of Music London Diploma
in Performance, and passed this examination in February 2001.
Kenneth
enjoys
performing as a soloist and in his musical career so far he
has played alongside some very well established musicians,
including Dr. Ronan Tynan of the three Irish Tenors. Kenneth
also plays and teaches the Drum Kit and other percussion instruments
in a range of bands and musical organisations.
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