Conductors
Left to Right: Geoff Newman, Julie Plant, Becky Moss, Michael Fowles
Geoff Newman
Conductor, Mid & Beginner Bands
Geoff has been a member of the Band for forty two years since learning to play at the age of 9. He was one of a large number of children taught at that time by the band's conductor Mr. John Bancroft. When he was 16 Geoff passed an audition to become a member of the National Youth Band of Great Britain and also started to teach the beginners group of the band in the cellar of the Ratby WMC. He then went on to conduct the Training Band and the then Junior Band during which time they were placed Third in the National Youth Band Championships.
Ten years ago after discussions with the Band's Musical Director Kevin Steward, Geoff helped to form the Mid Band and has conducted since their formation in 1997. As well as being involved in the Band Geoff works as a Peripatetic Music Teacher for Leicestershire Arts in Education also conducting their Intermediate Wind Band.
Becky Moss
Conductor, Junior Band
Becky started to play the cornet followed by tenor horn until she finally chose the trombone at the age of 10. She was made principal trombone of the Ratby Co-operative Band at the age of 13 where her realm has remained ever since. She spent a few years away from her home town of Leicestershire to study at the University College Chichester where she gained her Music degree and teaching qualification. Her return to Leicester now sees her working as head of music and Primary School teacher as well as freelance trombone tutor and conductor of Ratby Youth Band.
Becky also regularly plays trombone professionally for shows which include: Oliver, Barnum, Flower Drum Song, The Return to the Forbidden Planet and Jesus Christ Superstar. A former principal trombonist of the Wessex Youth Band Courses and more locally spent over ten years with various Leicestershire Arts Wind Bands and Orchestras. Being a member of Ratby Band for twenty three years, Becky has experienced many special times from playing, socialising and conducting the Youth Band for the past 4 years including days out, training weekends to prize winning at the Leicestershire Brass Band Association contests. “Conducting the Youth Band is both exciting but also a privilege to work with such fantastic young people”.