Musical Director

Derek Johnston

Derek was born in the city of Carlisle in Cumberland, and began his music studies at the age of five with his grandfather John Johnston who was the bandmaster of the Carlisle Corp of the Salvation Army. He also studied music at the Ash Lee Boys School under the head of music Bill Grundy, as well as playing in the Army Band. Derek also played in the Ash Lee Boys School band. It was then that the family moved to Yorkshire and Derek began his induction into Yorkshire banding. First with the Rossington Colliery Band on 3rd cornet, and then to the Dinnington Colliery Band, it was at this time that Derek moved on to the Trombone. It was at the age of fourteen that he was invited to join the Cresswell Colliery Band and played against some of the best bands around at that time.

His father, the late Derek Johnston Senior, was appointed musical director of the Camborne Town Band, and so the family moved to Cornwall. Derek owes much of his success to the time spent studying under the watchful eye of his father. He has won many awards for his playing in Yorkshire and in Cornwall. His playing career continued playing principle Trombone for St Austell, St Keverne, and Camborne Town Band. He has played at the highest level and played in the National Finals in the Albert Hall London on several occasions. On one occasion only two points behind the famous Black Dyke Band and only four points from the National title. At this time he also played for ten years with the D J Brass (Dance Band) and has made many TV and radio broadcasts. He was also a member of Camborne Town Band when they won The World Music Festival in Kerkrade in Holland. He also toured Germany, Holland, France and Belgium. He also became National Champion of Great Britain in 1976 at Fulham Town Hall London.

It was in 1992 when Derek was asked to conduct the St Keverne Band and so started his conducting career. He has been very successful wining many local and area contests and is very well regarded as a musician and conductor. He is at present the resident conductor of the Heyl Town Band.

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