Our Musical Directors & Tutors
Mark Harrison
Kearsley Youth Brass Band Musical Director
British trumpeter Mark started playing with Astley Youth Band at the age of six, and went on to also play with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and the Fairey Band.
He went on to study trumpet at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and the Oslo Musikkhøgskole in Norway, graduating with first class honours in 2012. During his studies, he received numerous awards in recognition of his musical contributions and excellence, including the Philip Jones and Martin Winter Brass Prizes.
As a freelance trumpeter, Mark has worked with the top UK Orchestras including: The Hallé, BBC Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Opera North, and Royal Philharmonic, along with several regional, and international orchestras.
A seasoned commercial artist, Mark has toured and held contracts with theatres up and down the country, holding chairs on shows such as: ‘The Producers’, ‘Billy Eillot’, ‘Gypsy’, ‘Mame’, and ‘Jerry Springer The Opera’. He has featured on various film and TV soundtracks and recorded for both emerging and established artists, touring with performers such as ‘Il Divo’ and ‘La Voix’.
Mark is kept busy as an educator, working as both a private teacher, the musical director for Kearsley Youth Brass Band, and as a guest artist, conductor, and educator for various musical organisations.
He is also a founding member of Norwegian brass ten-piece, Brasskompaniet, with the group performing concerts, recording, tours, and holding masterclasses. Mark is a well-established artist in regular demand and has developed his home studio during the COVID-19 pandemic, to keep up with professional requirements.
Sue Stirzaker
Kearsley Training Brass Band Musical Director
Sue has been working with young people in a variety of musical settings for more than 30 years - everything from playgroups, church music clubs, primary schools, brass bands and Saturday schools.
Sue is a fully qualified teacher specialising in primary curriculum music and works with schools to deliver a comprehensive music curriculum programme for children from Nursery to Year 6.In her free time, Sue sings with the Hallé Choir as well as training young brass players.
Sue has been involved with Kearsley Youth Brass Band since the first day it started and has been thrilled to see how well it has developed over the years.
Rhiannon Harrison
Music Tutor
Rhiannon Harrison is a freelance trombonist, performing with a variety of ensembles across the UK. She is a Licentiate of Trinity College London, and graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music with first class honours in 2019.
Rhiannon grew up through the National Youth Arts Wales ensembles, and was a member of the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Wales from 2010, the National Youth Orchestra of Wales from 2012 and the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Wales for 2014. She maintains a busy freelancing career of pit work and orchestral engagements, including playing for the Kaleidoscope Orchestra at events such as Gatecrasher Classical and Cream Classical.
Rhiannon has been involved with Kearsley Youth Brass Band since 2017, and joined the board of Making Music in 2020, to help support leisure-time music in the UK.
Trustees & Committee
Our wonderful committee & volunteers are the lifeblood of KYBB and we couldn't do it without them!
Stephen Tonge
Chairman
Trustee
Catherine Roe
Safeguarding Officer
Committee Member
Dorothy Tonge
General Committee Member
Trustee
Neil Brunsden
Photography & IT
Volunteer
Claire Sanderson
Treasurer
Committee Member
Mark Harrison
Youth Band MD
Committee Member
Michael Hurst
General Committee Member
Trustee
Rhiannon Harrison
Secretary
Trustee
Sue Stirzaker
Training Band MD
Trustee
Kathie Brunsden
Librarian
Volunteer