Contributors
Russell Gray
Russell Gray is a cornet player and freelance conductor with over twenty five years experience in the business
He is currently holding posts of Adjunct Professor at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music (Australia), Principal Conductor of the Cambrian Philharmonic Orchestra (Wales), Musical Director of the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland, Professional Conductor with the Reg Vardy Brass Band, and President of the National Association of Brass Band Conductors.
Russell was born in Scotland in 1968, and in his early years learned to play the cornet.
By the time he was twelve years old he had already won the junior solo Championships of both Scotland and Great Britain.
Whilst at university, Russell was a member of the world famous Black Dyke Mills Brass Band.
Yamaha became aware of Russell’s talents and soon a relationship was established with him as an internationally endorsed soloist.
This appointment helped Russell establish himself as one of the most sought after Brass soloists and clinicians in the world today.
Russell started his conducting career in Norway, accepting the position of resident conductor with the Stavanger Brass Band. During this time Russell helped them further their reputation as one of the finest brass ensembles in the world by recording several CDs, and fusing links with other musical groups and composers, including the popular Scandinavian folk group Vamp, Stig Roar Wigestrand (Jazz Violin), and Torstein Aagaard Nilsen.
He also enhanced their name internationally with tours of Scotland, England, and Latvia.
Over the years Russell has won many competitions, including the Norwegian, Danish, Japanese, French, Scottish, English, and British National Brass Band Championships.
Russell has enjoyed working with many varied ensembles. These include the National youth band of Switzerland, the Queensland Youth Band, the Australian Army Band Brisbane, Her Majesty’s band of the Coldstream Guards, the Prince of Denmark’s Brass Ensemble, Slesvigske Musikkorps, The Danish Royal Life Guards band, Cambrian Philharmonic Orchestra, Wrexham Symphony Orchestra, the Queensland Pops Orchestra, the Mueller International Chamber Orchestra, and the Aalborg Symphony Orchestra.
In 2007 Russell attended the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, to study for his Masters Degree in Orchestral Conducting. During this time he worked with the Royal Scottish Academy Symphony Orchestra, and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, graduating with Distinction in 2008.
Russell has studied conducting with Bramwell Tovey, Stephane Deneve, David Danzmayr, Martyn Brabbins, and Alasdair Mitchell.
