Nigel Beasley
We are proud to have Nigel Beasley as the Musical Director of Hazel Grove Brass Band.
Nigel studied euphonium under Geoff Whitham as one of 10 students on the first Brass Band musicianship course at Salford University. Also amongst the students were Allan Withington (conductor of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band) and Ian Barker (solo baritone with the Band).
Having played with the POEU Band in Stockport and the Mirrlees Works Band, Nigel then joined Wingates Temperance in 1978 on solo baritone, where he stayed until 1981, before taking up a similar position with the Fodens Motor Works Band. After 3 years he moved back to Wingates where he remained for a further 9 years.
Early in 1993 Nigel accepted the invitation to join the Williams Fairey Band and played baritone along with his long time friend Peter Christian. That year saw the band achieve a magnificent “Double”, winning the British Open and National Championships before also adding the European Title 7 months later. Under the baton of James Gourlay the Band achieved further successes at the British Open and All England Masters. In 2004 Nigel retired from playing and took a break from the brass-banding movement unti 2007, when he took up the offer to conduct the Hazel Grove Brass Band.
Since taking the helm at Hazel Grove, Nigel has guided the band to many successes, culminating in victories at the previous 6 contests (between 2009 and 2010) including a fantastic win at the National Finals in Harrogate 2010.