Ian studied for his Bachelor of Music Degree (BMus) at Canterbury Christchurch University and then went on to study the tuba with Patrick Harrild (Principal tuba-London Symphony Orchestra) at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall in London. He is currently principal tuba of Her Majesty’s Band of the Grenadier Guards, where he has held the position for the last eight years. During his time at this world-famous band, Ian has taken part in many high-profile state ceremonial events such as the Queen’s Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour), the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace and large international events including the London 2012 Olympics closing ceremony and performed alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at several of their ‘Classical Spectacular’ shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
More recently, Ian has become principal tuba of the newly formed ensemble of excellence-Guards Brass dectet which performs all over the United Kingdom and has undertaken several BBC Radio 3 broadcasts as part of their ‘In Tune’ series of programmes. Another principal appointment is with the recently established London Military Band (featured in the Brass Herald), which aims to rekindle the golden age of the British Guards Band.
Occasionally, Ian can be seen (and heard) performing with the increasingly well-known and unique ‘Oompah Brass’ Quintet.
As a composer/arranger, his works have been performed as far afield as North America, China, Korea and Japan.
He currently writes for, and is published by, Roger Argente’s SuperBrass label and has been commissioned to arrange music for the brass ensemble of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
His latest commission was for Sarah Willis (4th horn of the Berlin Philharmonic) for a massed horns event at the Juilliard School of Music in New York.
Lastly, in his capacity as Staff Arranger/composer for the Band of the Grenadier Guards, he has written fanfares to announce the arrival of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Important events such as the Royal Victorian Order service at Windsor Castle and other major services at London’s Westminster Abbey.
Ian plays on the great Willson EEb Tuba mod. 3400TA-4
