Stewart Thompson BA(Hons)

Stewart first began his banding career when he joined the junior band of the Lions Youth Brass on cornet in the early 1990's under the baton of Kevin Birch. During his time with them the Lions organisation rose to become National Champions twice in its Youth section while the Junior Brass developed into a second highly popular group much in demand for concerts and local events. He then followed Kevin to the Audley Band where he experienced his first taste of adult playing and contesting, as well as developing an interest in composing and arranging for band. During this period he also became a founder member and principal cornet of the Wistaston Green Community Band, eventually rising to the position of bandmaster in only his mid-teens. He bowed out of Audley in 1997 when the band became the Pontins Champions 4th Section, its first prize in a contest since the 1960's.

During the late 90's Stewart played primarily for the City of Stoke-on-Trent Band eventually becoming the bands Flugel Horn player and qualifying for the National Finals of Great Britain in 1999. However he also played solo horn for the Rode Hall Band and solo cornet for the Staffordshire Police Band before accepting an invitation that would alter his entire musical career.

In 1999 he joined the Roberts Bakery Band, at that time among the best 50 brass bands in the UK and under the wing of their musical director Colin Cranson he gradually began to build a fledgling conducting, arranging and composing career. On Colin's advice he re-joined the Lions Youth, eventually returning to his starting point in playing when he accepted the position of conductor of the Junior Brass. In 2001 he then also returned to City of Stoke as the band's resident conductor, a position he held for 18 months before his playing commitments forced the curtailing of the association with the band. At Roberts' he eventually became the librarian of the band as well as the solo baritone player. However the growth of his conducting career forced him to finally retire from the band in 2002. However the playing bug caught him again and he accepted an invitation to the Cheshire Constabulary Band where he currently still plays in addition to serving as Deputy Bandmaster. In 2003 he returned to Rode Hall Band as Musical Director again continuing the cycle of development that has been a trademark of his musical career. Finally he obtained his degree in Contemporary Arts from Manchester Metropolitan University and he now ply's his trade as a music teacher in the south Cheshire area.

Alongside this Stewart had joined Nantwich as the solo euphonium player during Andrea Stretton's time as MD and when she resigned he accepted the challenge of continuing to re-build the band to the standing it once enjoyed. He is lucky to have the support and advice (although sometimes he disagrees with it!) of his fiancé Anna, who replaced him as solo euph as well as the understanding, patience and constant love of their new arrival Polly!