Professional Conductor: Howard Taylor
Dalewool Auckland Brass has recently announced the appointment of Howard Taylor as its new professional Musical Director. Renowned as Australasia's most successful brass band conductor, his experience and ability mixed with the quality of Dalewool Auckland Brass means exciting music ahead.
Howard Taylor started his musical career in the Salvation Army in the South West of England, learning the cornet from a very early age. He (progressed to) become Principal Cornet of the Plymouth Exeter Hall Salvation Army Band and Youth Band conductor at the age of only 17.
In 1985 he joined Bodmin Town Band of Cornwall and soon took up the position of Principal Cornet and Deputy Conductor.
Howard was appointed Musical Director of Bodmin Town in 1993 leading them to victory at the South West Championships and the Cornish Championships three years in succession. In 1997 Howard moved to New Zealand to be Musical Director of the Waitakere Band (TVNZ) in Auckland.
In 1999 they won every stage event at the New Zealand National Championships, and then went on to take the Shell Band of the Year Concert Title in the same year. During Howard's leadership the Waitakere band were crowned Auckland Champions for 3 years in succession and awarded the "NZ Band of the Year" in 1999, 2000 and 2001.
2002 Howard moved to Brisbane, Australia after his appointment as Musical Director of Brisbane Excelsior. Under his direction the band enjoyed its most successful run of contest victories in its 100 year history. Howard conducted the band to an historic four consecutive Australian National Championship titles from 2005,06,07,08.
In 2009 Howard brought his band to England to compete at the British Open Championships therefore missing the Australian contest that year. In 2010 he returned to the Australian Championships regaining the title for a fifth time. Other contest successes include the New Zealand Championship title in 2007, and 2008, New South Wales title 2004, and five Queensland State titles.
He has held the position of Musical Director of the National Band of NZ for the last 3 years before leaving Australasia for the UK in August 2010 to work with the world famous Fairey (Geneva) Band.
Howard returned in 2011, and after only a few weeks of rehearsal took Dalewool Auckland Brass to the NZ National Championships to be crowned Band of the Year.
