Musical Director
Dan Dennis, MMus, BMus (Hons), ARSM, AGST, MISM
Raised in County Durham, Dan moved to South Wales in 2017 to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD). Since then, he has gained a Bachelor’s Degree (2:1) in Trombone Performance and then a Master’s Degree (Distinction) in Brass Band Conducting, graduating from the latter in July 2024.
His studies have allowed him to learn from some of the best musicians in the world: conducting from Dr Robert Childs – a world renowned conductor, composer, and soloist; trombone from Donal Bannister – principal trombone of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales; sackbutt from Emily White – world renowned early music specialist; research and teaching skills from Dr Sarah Smith – senior lecturer at RWCMD and an ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) Examiner; and Recording from Odilon Marcenaro – a leading expert in music technology. This work has also involved working with professionals, such as Phillip Harper of the Cory Band, Jeremy West of His Majesty’s Sackbutts and Cornetts, and the world leading music teacher: Paul Harris, in a range of settings.
He has played in brass bands at all levels, starting out on cornet in primary school thanks to the guidance of Miriam Helen Robson, moving up to Egglescliffe School and making the lifechanging move to trombone thanks to Matthew Howarth. Dan made his debut in community banding with Billingham Silver Band under the baton of Vaughan Evans and eventually working his way up to the Fishburn Band under Joe Cook and finally moving to Wales and joining Tongwynlais Temperance Band under Ian Holmes. It’s safe to say that Dan is looking forward to many more years contributing to the band movement. During his undergraduate studies, Dan displayed a keen interest in arranging and writing music which has led to him having several of his arrangements for brass dectet published with SuperBrass Publishing as well as gaining his first commission to write a signature brass band march – Castell y Barri. In addition to arranging, Dan took up sackbutt tuition at RWCMD. A highlight of this early music work was when a number of historic brass players from the college took part in a tour and CD recording, with Girton College, Cambridge in 2021, highlighting the work of Italian composer Marc’Antonio Ingegneri which hadn’t been heard in nearly 450 years.
Dan is an enthusiastic music teacher, working with several music services over the years as well as with Gwent & Powys Army Cadet Force. A highlight of his work in South Wales is his Barry Bands Together Project (2022) which drew £100,000 in funding and involved three music services working together to teach hundreds of young people brass and percussion instruments culminating in a sell-out concert at the Memo in Barry. He brings this enthusiasm for music and teaching to rehearsals, aiming to nurture the very best out of his players.
Since taking up the baton with the Vale of Glamorgan Brass Band in 2019, Dan has led the band through many successes and has helped the band to increase membership to over double the size it was when he first took over. He is also fortunate enough to hold the MD position with the Dulais Valley Silver Band which has made steady progress since his appointment in March 2024.
Dan's Music Catalogue
Brass Band:
Castell Y Barri
Pennine Music
Castell y Barri was commissioned by the Vale of Glamorgan Brass Band as part of its Post-Covid-19 rejuvenation as well as with the hope of putting Dan firmly on the road to becoming an influential composer in Wales, the UK and more widely.
Titling the march Castell y Barri whilst providing a nod to TJ Powell’s legacy also plays on the fact that VOG is an inclusive community band that emphasises having fun whilst making good music. Indeed, you can draw a parallel with the Band and Castell y Barri: Barry Castle is a small Grade II listed ruined two-storey gatehouse in the Romilly district of Barry, cloaked in heritage, and is admired by the community.
The march itself features both modal and atonal harmony to create an, at times, comedic Shtick – reminiscent of the band’s carnival-leading conception.
Mr Blue Sky
Sheet Music Direct
Arranged for Marske Brass Band as a ‘thank you’ for their hospitality, this arrangement puts the main tune in the trombone section and features significantly more percussion than any other arrangement of the work.
Brass Dectet:
Bogoroditse Devo
Superbrass
Bogorodiste Devo is the sixth movement of Rachmaninoff’s Vigil, thus being the final part of the Vespers and sets the Russian text of Ave Maria (Rejoice, O Virgin). This piece was Dan’s first published work.
Christus Factus Est
Superbrass
Christus Factus Est (“Christ became obedient”) is a sacred motet and Bruckner’s third setting of the Latin gradual Christus Factus Est. It is influenced by Richard Wagner and was composed in 1884.
