Gareth grew up in the small village of Pontllanfraith in the South Wales Valleys and started playing trombone at the age of 13 at his local secondary school.

Shortly after, Gareth joined Oakdale Silver Band and played both Bass and Tenor Trombone during his time there. Whilst at Oakdale, Gareth was quick to progress and in 1999 earned a position in the National Youth Orchestra of Wales quickly becoming principal trombone, a position he was to retain for many years. Gareth also went on to play with his first Championship Section band in this short period and, at the age of 16, joined the Tongwynlais Temperance Band. During this period Gareth gained various awards and prizes including the ‘Caerphilly County Young Musician of the Year’; The ‘Ffrancon Thomas Award for Outstanding Contribution to the National Youth Orchestra of Wales’ as well as the coveted ‘Jon’ award in which, at the tender age of 17, he was awarded a brand new instrument of his choice in order to progress with his study.

In 2000 Gareth moved to Manchester to undertake a Bachelors Degree at the Royal Northern College of Music. Gareth’s principal study was trombone with major electives being chosen in the field of Conducting and Composition.

Whilst at the RNCM Gareth’s versatility as a musician allowed him to experience a wide range of performing experience outside brass bands. Ensembles Gareth has performed with include the ‘Northern Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra’, The Kath Dyson Jazz Octet, The Blue Juice Big Band, All RNCM Ensembles, YABB, National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and The Jazz Orchestra of the QE2 as well as many professional stage productions. Also during this time, Gareth’s passion for early music was exploited in Projects with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and a position with the Northern Cornetts and Sackbutts.

Despite Gareth’s relative youth, his brass banding experience is significant. Gareth has been involved with most of the nation’s top bands as a trombonist. Gareth has contested with such bands as Park and Dare, Leyland, Haydock and the Fodens band where he has recently relinquished his chair after many years of loyal service, due to increased conducting commitments. Gareth has also been involved, as a ‘guest’, with many of the UK’s premier bands including Fairey, Brighouse & Rastrick, Grimethorpe and YBS. During his playing career, Gareth has performed at some of the biggest contests in the banding calendar with the British Open, National Finals of Great Britain, All England Masters, European Championships and English Nationals amongst others and has played at some of the world’s most prestigious venues.

In 2003, Gareth’s increasing penchant for conducting ensured him top marks in his Conducting module at the Royal Northern College of Music, conducting Beethoven’s 2nd with the RNCM ‘Rep’ orchestra. This led to Gareth being appointed musical director of the RNCM Clarinet Ensemble, and a featured conductor in the 2003 RNCM ‘Opera Scenes’ production.

Since then, Gareth’s love of brass has seen him conduct many brass bands across the North West and further afield.

In 2003 Gareth became the Musical director of Rhyl Silver Band until 2006 winning the 2003 North Wales Championships as well as gaining merit in both area contests and the Pontins Championship. He also, during this time, went on to conduct Royal Buckley Town Band at the National Finals in 2004 where he directed the band’s performance of ‘Diamond Heritage’ and gained merit in this contest as well as many other competitive outings.

Other ensembles Gareth has conducted include: Ellenbrook and Boothstown Band, the Knutsford Town band, Bostock Town Band, The Haydock Band and The Marsden Band. Gareth took the position of Musical Director at The Eagley Band in the autumn of 2006.
As a composer and arranger, relatively new to the scene, Gareth has already seen his works published and performed by some of the most notable names in brass including; The Fodens Band, Centenary Brass and the tuba virtuoso Les Neish. Gareth is currently studying for a Masters Degree in Composition at the University of Salford undertaking tuition from such composers as Dr. Mick Wilson and Professor Peter Graham.

In January 2009, Gareth was appointed as Musical Director of the Poulton-le-Fylde Band which was promoted to the National Championship Section in the North West from 2009.

When not writing, conducting or playing his trombone, Gareth works as a classroom music teacher. He enjoys keeping fit and supporting his beloved football team, Manchester City.