Lee Whitworth PG Dip LLCM ATCL

Musical Director

Lee has always enjoyed music from an early age, from his junior school days to the present day. His first sample of Brass Bands was with East Manchester Brass, but a large
part of his school music was in Tameside County wind bands and Youth Marching Bands.

Lee joined the Army at the age of 16 as a military musician on cornet. His training started at the Army Junior School of Music, (AJSM) Bovington, where he studied Theory, Aural, Cornet and Military musicianship.

After leaving the AJSM in 1991 Lee continued his musical training at The Royal Military School of music, Kneller Hall (RMSM), during which he also studied arranging, history and harmony. Lee successfully obtained his military trade exams A3 Cornet, A2, A1 Saxophone and Associate of the London College of Music in Saxophone performance (ATCL) in 2003.

Lee’s conducting career started with Bedale Brass Band after which he has conducted Boldon Colliery, Northallerton Silver, The Ripon City Band, The Royal Air Force Volunteer Band in Cyprus, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Band and YEP 10 piece, as well as deputising for many others. Lee gained a Licentiate of the London College of Music (LLCM) in Conducting in 2011 and a Post Graduate Certificate (PG Dip) in Band Direction in 2014.

Lee has been fortunate enough to receive support with his conducting from many of his Bandmasters and Directors of Music whilst serving as Military Musician within The Corps of Army Music. He has partaken in conducting workshops under Mr Richard Evans, Mr Ray Farr, Dr Roy Newsome (late) and Mr Philip Wilby. Lee received a commendation from The Director of the Corps of Army Music in November 2012 for his work for Guardsman Neil Tony Down’s first memorial charity concert.

Since leaving the Army, Lee has qualified as an HGV Class 1 Driver and also a Compliance Training Instructor. He has his own business as a First Aid and Compliance Trainer instructor with A&E Harmonious Compliance Training Ltd. Lee is a Community First Responder in his hometown of Richmond, as well as supporting many other local groups and charities.

Lee took up the Baton with Lofthouse in 2021 and is honoured to be their Musical Director.

Away from banding, Lee’s hobbies include Family, Swimming, Diving and Pool, as well as being a proud freemason and a member of the Richmond’s “Duck Club”. He is married to Alison and they have two children.

Favourite food – anything I do not have to cook! Asha Tandoori, Catterick or Shanghai Chinese, Richmond.
Favourite drink – Beer, Red Wine, Port.
Favourite non-Brass band Moment – My first child and then delivering my second child at home.
Most embarrassing banding moment – Turning up to an engagement with no instrument!