NEIL BOWDEN
Born in Stockport in 1978. Music is embedded in the Bowden family as Neil’s Grandfather was a Belgian conductor who moved to England and conducted Brass Bands on the South Coast of England.
From the age of 4, Neil learned to play the organ and was taught by his father who was also an organist. By the very early age of 6, he became ‘hooked’ on music and knew that was what he wanted to do in life. When only 7 years old, he realised one of his early ‘ambitions’ by playing I do like to be beside the seaside on the famous Wurlitzer Organ in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom!
He began to get involved with brass instruments by taking up the Tenor Horn with Stuart Roebuck (RNCM Euphonium Tutor and member of the Halle Orchestra) as his teacher. Then joining Northenden Silver Band, Poynton Youth Band and Stockport Schools’ Band, later moving onto Cornet and playing Solo Cornet for Hazel Grove Band, Silk Brass and Bollington Brass Band. During this time, Neil arranged many pieces for these Bands while he was playing for them.
After deciding to take up piano and keyboard, more avenues opened up and he was soon recording his own backing tracks and arrangements. While still at school, he had various residencies at Social Clubs and played at lot in Local Pubs using the backing tracks he had recorded and then playing “live” over the top.
On leaving school, Neil joined ‘Show Bands’ and the like and has been involved for more than 8 years with an Elvis Tribute Show as both the keyboard player and Musical Director. He also plays for a 12-piece Soul Band on piano and Hammond organ and has done many arrangements for the band who have performed in front of 30,000 people at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke. Neil also arranges and records backing tracks for musicals in theatres in and around Manchester, including the Lowry Theatre in Salford. Time is also spent touring extensively across Europe and the UK.
Neil began studying at the University of Salford in 1996, although this was ‘cut short’ in 1998 due to sustaining serious injuries in a car crash. After a spell working as a Peripatetic Teacher around Cheshire, Neil returned to Salford to complete his Degree. He obtained this in composition and conducting in 2004. His work has been performed at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester and European Youth Championships and the National Youth Championships and more recently by the Yorkshire Building Society Brass Band, East Yorkshire Motor Services Band, Adelphi Band and the University of Salford Brass Band.
Neil has been described in the British Bandsman by Professor Peter Graham as a “young composer to watch out for”. Towards the end of 2004, Neil was invited to become the Composer in Residence to the East Yorkshire Motor services Band. He gladly accepted the position and looks forward to a long and musically fruitful association with the band.
© Copyright 2005 JAGRINS Music Publications