Musical Director

Barnsley Concert Band would like to welcome John Hopkinson as their new Musical Director. John, an accomplished cornet player and conductor, took over the baton from Brian Towse, the founder of the band, in September 2006. In so doing he becomes only the second principal conductor in the band's 32-year history.

This is John's first venture into the world of wind bands and as such represents a big change for him as most of his musical life has been spent playing with and conducting brass bands. First introduced to playing at the tender age of 5, John started his banding career with Wharncliffe Silkstone Colliery Band (now Rockingham Colliery Band) at the age of 10. It wasn't long before he graduated to the top stand and took up the position of principal cornet. In 1976 he progressed further and joined the Barrow Colliery Band (now Barnsley Building Society Band) as solo cornet, where he remained for 10 years. During his time with the band, they progressed to Championship status.

In 1986 John added a new dimension to his career and saw him take on the musical directorship of the Old Silkstone Band. Enjoying the new challenge so much, just one year later he returned to the Barnsley Building Society Band to take up the helm and has successfully lead the through many a contest. Throughout his career John has had the good fortune to work with many well-known professional conductors such as Major Peter Parks, Ray Farr, Richard Evens and David James.

Not content with the world of brass bands, he also both plays trumpet in and conducts the local big band Take 2 which sees him out and about gigging on a regular basis. And that's not all! Back in the 70s, John was a key member of the pop group Sweet Charity where he developed his talent for guitar playing and toured the country far and wide.