Thirty musicians.
One Fairey sound.

Hailing from Dundee in Scotland, Iain holds a B.A. (Hons) and an MA in Music Performance from the University of Salford, and is regularly in demand internationally as a soloist and teacher, as well as having served as a cornet tutor for the NYBBS, NYBBW, and NYBBGB. Iain returned as principal cornet of the Fairey Band in 2023 following a highly successful tenure with the band in 2010-2011. Iain has released two solo albums, “Vanguard” and “The Recital series Volume One” both of which were met with great critical acclaim.

British Open 2010 with Faireys - “On the Shoulders of Giants”. Although we only came second, it was the most perfect performance I’ve ever been a part of to this day.

Matthew Hall is a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), where he studied trumpet under Roger Webster and Richard Marshall. Matthew began learning at Rochdale Music Service before progressing to soprano cornet with Wardle Academy Youth Band and Wardle Anderson Brass Band. Matthew has held the position of Principal Soprano Cornet with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. He has also performed with the National Youth Band of Switzerland and the European Youth Brass Band

Performing Gavin Higgins’s Concerto Grosso with NYBB and NYO and also performing at Wilderness Festival.

James Atkins is a conductor, educator and cornet player from Saddleworth. A graduate of the University of Salford with First Class Honours in Musical Arts, James is Musical Director of Dobcross Youth Band and has been a member of the Fairey Band since 2021. Passionate about inspiring young musicians, he is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of brass players through performance, education and community engagement.

Performing at the Royal Albert Hall with the Blue Coat School Band for the National Festival of Music for Youth. My first experience of such a prestigious venue, it inspired my passion for creating similar opportunities for young musicians and the lifelong memories that music can create.

Aidan began banding aged 12 with his local band, Sale Brass. He progressed up the brass band ladder, playing with both Tyldesley and Wingates bands until joining the Fairey band in late 2025. He was also part of both the Greater Manchester Youth and Foden's Youth brass bands, having held the principal cornet seat in both them. Aidan enrolled at the RNCM in 2024, studying for a BMus in performance.

Martin’s banding career started at a young age when he joined Poynton Youth and Stockport Schools Band and was taught by ex-Fairey cornet player Les Hall. He then joined Bollington Brass Band where he was the Principal Cornet player for 15 years, during which time the band won promotion from the Third, through to the Championship Section. Martin joined Faireys, his home town band, in 2015 fulfilling a childhood ambition. Joining on the back row, he received a fast-track Faireys induction and education, sitting between Faireys stalwarts, Gaz Parker and Jimmy Leggat, before moving onto the front row.

First National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall and qualifying for the Europeans in Utrecht in 2016.

Claire began playing cornet under the guidance of her father, James Shepherd. She became a member of Jayess Band, eventually gaining promotion to Principal Cornet. Claire studied Music at Huddersfield University, where she was the first recipient of the Sellers Engineering Scholarship. After completing her PGCE, Claire went on to work as a Peripatetic Music Teacher for numerous Education Authorities, specializing in Brass and Piano. She played Principal Cornet for Glossop and Ashton Bands, performing at the British Open and National Finals on multiple occasions. Following a brief stint at Hammonds, Claire joined the Fairey cornet section in 2022.

Performing in the production of ‘King Cotton’ at The Lowry & Liverpool Empire

Macey began playing the cornet with Stockport Schools’ Brass Band at the age of seven. She progressed through the organisation, who have a strong relationship with Fairey, leading her to join the KNDS Fairey Band in September 2025. Macey is a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, and won both the National Youth Championships of Great Britain with Wardle Academy in 2024 and Whit Friday on Principal Cornet for them, winning Best Soloist at Dobcross. She then went on to represent England at the European Youth Championships in Norway in 2025.

Playing with Chav Brass on the main stage at Beat-herder festival

Brian Taylor is widely regarded as one of the finest cornet players of his generation. Raised in Tyldesley, Lancashire, he developed his musical foundations in the Salvation Army before joining Fairey Band in 1973, aged fifteen. Rapidly progressing to principal cornet, he held the position for twenty-five years and helped lead the band through its celebrated 1993–94 treble-winning season. Across five decades with Fairey, Brian performed under leading conductors and became renowned for his warm tone, expressive phrasing and quiet professionalism. His artistry, humility and dedication have inspired generations of players and secured his place in brass band history.

Jimmy started with Whitburn Band in 1970. He joined Clydebank Burgh Band as Principal Cornet for 16 months before joining the Fidens Motor Works Band in 1979. After being made redundant by the company, he left and played with B&R for two years before moving to Fairey’s in 1983.

Playing Journey Into Freedom at Beaminster conducted by the composer Eric Ball👌

Pete began his brass band career with Poynton Band before joining Fairey Band at just 15, playing under the direction of Peter Parkes. He later served as Principal Cornet with BT Band before returning to Fairey in 2001, where he helped secure consecutive National Championship titles in 2002 and 2003 under Allan Withington. After retiring from full-time playing in 2008, Pete returned to competitive banding with Leyland Band as Principal Cornet from 2010 to 2012. Following a further break, he rejoined Fairey in 2024, making the move from cornet to Flugel Horn.

Winning the nationals 1992 (BT Band) & 2002 & 2003 (Faireys) Playing at the Man City players title league title celebration in 2014. Performing with Mogwai at the BBC6 music festival

James is Broadcast Engineer by profession living and working in Gtr. Manchester. He joined Old Hall Brass aged 10 under MD Neil Parkinson his father. Then whilst at Huddersfield university studying Audio Systems joined Sellers International. He moved to London for work and joined East London Brass. Finally moving back north joined Fairey in 2021.

Producing the bands Wilderness Brassique set in 2024 and performing with Mogwai at the BBC 6Music Festival in 2025.

Since graduating from the RNCM with a Master’s in Euphonium Performance with Distinction in 2019, Peter has worked as a peripatetic brass teacher and junior band Musical Director across Cheshire and the Wirral. He joined the Fairey Band in 2022, winning the Best Euphonium prize at his first contest, the British Open. Peter has previously performed as Principal Euphonium with the European Youth Brass Band, RNCM Brass Band, National Youth Brass Band and Wind Orchestra of Wales. He was also a BrassPass.tv Young Brass Award finalist in 2019 and twice an EBBA European Soloist Competition semifinalist.

Performing Holst’s ‘The Planets’ earlier this year with the Hallé Orchestra at Bridgewater Hall, later broadcast on BBC Radio 3.

Having started playing the cornet at age 6, before changing to euphonium aged 10, Philip spent many happy years with Astley Youth Band and Bolton Youth Band before starting his adult banding career aged 15 with Tyldesley Band. He went on to study at Music at the University of Huddersfield under David Thornton and Phillip McCann and is now a Deputy Head Teacher at a primary school. Philip has played with some of the country’s finest bands including Hammonds, Hepworth, Marsden Silver and Wingates, before joining Fairey at the end of 2021.

Pre-Fairey: The first time I qualified for the National Championships with Hepworth in 2011. An incredible week with Russell Gray led to a fantastic 2nd place on Paganini Variations. With Fairey: Playing to thousands of people at Wilderness Festival with our Brassique set. What a weekend!

Originally from Northern Ireland, Ciaran began his musical journey on euphonium with the Bangor Salvation Army and prestigious regional youth ensembles, earning an ATCL performance diploma before school's end. ​He moved to England to study at the RNCM, playing with top-tier bands including Desford Colliery, Black Dyke, Ransomes, Thoresby, and Carlton Main, alongside professional appearances with the Ulster Orchestra. ​After transitioning to Solo Baritone at Carlton Main, Ciaran joined the renowned Brighouse & Rastrick Band. During a standout ten-year tenure, he helped secure three National titles and represented England twice at the European Championships.

Playing Janacek's 'Sinfonietta' with the Ulster Orchestra, where my dad was Principal Trumpet for over 40 years.

Calum began playing with Beaumaris Band, progressing through its Junior and Youth Bands before making his senior debut at the British Open. At 18, he joined the Royal Corps of Army Music, where he spent six years performing professionally throughout the UK and overseas, while also serving as Musical Director of Wantage Concert Brass. After leaving the Army, he completed a Primary Education degree at Bangor University and now teaches classroom music. During his studies, he performed with Leyland Band, before joining the Fairey Band in 2024.

Calum's most memorable musical experience was competing with Nelson City Brass at the 2023 New Zealand National Brass Band Championships. The opportunity to perform at the event, combined with the experience of travelling and competing in New Zealand, remains a career highlight.

Rebecca is an accomplished trombonist, composer, arranger and educator. She holds a First-Class Honours degree in Music from the University of Huddersfield, where she received the Harry Mortimer Prize, and a Master’s in Performance from the Royal Northern College of Music. She has performed across the UK and Europe, including solo features on BBC Radio and at the World Music Festival. Rebecca is Music Subject Lead for Oak National Academy and has nearly 20 years’ experience in education. A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, her music has been commissioned, broadcast and published. She is pursuing a doctorate in composition.

Tony started his musical career in Clackmannanshire, Scotland. He moved down to Manchester to study at the RNCM in 1989 and worked with many of the North West bands. Working as a secondary school teacher since 2007 he moved to Yorkshire where Tony has had the good fortune to play with many of the Championship section bands including Grimethorpe, Black Dyke, Hepworth and Brighouse and Rastrick. He has been with the Fairey Band since 2022 and is enjoying several conducting engagements. He has played professionally with funk, soul, pop and big bands as well as film and recording credits.

Winning the 2010 London finals on ‘Breath of souls’ with Brighouse and Rastrick

Ben Russon is a tuba player from Littleborough, Greater Manchester, and is currently studying at the Royal Northern College of Music with Ewan Easton. He began playing the tuba at the age of seven and has developed into a versatile musician, performing regularly in brass band, orchestral, and chamber settings. He's served as Principal Tuba of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, where he was twice awarded the prestigious Tom Atkinson Memorial Trophy. Ben is a founding member of Paramount Brass, an award-winning brass quintet dedicated to delivering engaging performances and inspiring the next generation of musicians.

Performing Concerto Grosso by Gavin Higgins at the Royal Festival Hall with NYBB & NYO.

Steve started on EEb Bass at primary school, he quickly joined stockport schools brass band, progressing to Poynton Band and then BT where the annual christams conerts at the RAH were a highlight. He then moved to Pemeberton where he spent 16 years as solo EEb before a short break from banding due to work. He was thrilled to join The Fairey Band in 2019.

Playing 4'33'' with City of Manchester at an entertainment contest.

Tbc

Playing a joint concert with the Hallé Orchestra at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. Pines of Rome has never sounded quite the same since!

Beth grew up in a musical family in Guernsey, and started playing violin and flute before taking up percussion. She studied at The Purcell School, Chetham's School of Music and Oxford University, and was principal percussionist with the National Youth Orchestra. She joined Faireys after moving to Manchester in 2021 and has enjoyed numerous highlights with the band since.

Pre-banding: BBC Proms Since joining Faireys: The Flight Before Christmas