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, Youth 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”.
Julie Plant
Conductor, Training Band
Julie was born into a brass band family with her parents already members of Ratby Band. She went to her first band concert when only 6 weeks old! It was only natural that she follows in their footsteps and Julie began her musical career at the age of 7. At the age of 14 Julie became a member of the senior band on euphonium. In addition to playing in the Junior and Senior bands, Julie was also a member of Leicestershire Arts where she held the position of principal euphonium for many years in the Symphonic Wind Band. In 1994 she went to university and was awarded a BA (Hons) degree in Music and Business Management. During her time at Worcester University she played with the Avonbank (Evesham) Band for 2 years. To further her studies she moved to the University of Northampton to qualify as a Primary School teacher.
In 1998 Julie began playing with the Towcester Studio Band where she carried out various committee roles. In 2004 Julie moved jobs, returning to Leicestershire where her many roles as a Primary School Teacher include music co-ordinator. This move now enabled Julie to return as a member of Ratby Band on baritone. Julie is the Press Officer and a member of the Executive Committee of the Leicestershire Brass Band Association. In January 2005 she took over the role of Training Band conductor and is particularly proud to be conducting them.