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Musical Director - Craig L Ratcliffe BMus (Hons), PGCE
Craig Ratcliffe is Yorkshire born and bred and has been at the heart of brass banding from a young age. His work with young people in in the local area has seen him work on many different projects and he is regularly in demand as a conductor and teacher around North Yorkshire.
He studied Performance, Conducting and Musicology at the University of Huddersfield, where he studied with Philip McCann, David Thornton and Barrie Webb, graduating in 2005. Further adding to his educational experiences, Craig studied for his Teaching Degree again at Huddersfield University, starting his teaching career at Richmond School in North Yorkshire.
Craig originally started playing with the Wetherby Silver Band and was taught by local brass legend, John Scruton, along with being the first conductor of the newly formed 'Tykes' Junior Band. Moving to the Yorkshire Co-op Band whilst at University, Craig then spent a successful period playing Euphonium with Pennine Brass whilst conducting the Bedale Band and playing for most other bands in and around the Huddersfield area.
He is a teacher of Music and Music technology at St. John Fisher Catholic High School in Harrogate, alongside his role as Instrumental Tuition Co-ordinator where he manages a large number of peripatetic teachers in a very successful performing arts school. As Musical Director of the 65 strong concert band, Craig has led the band to new heights and performances in Symphony Hall, Birmingham as part of the Music for Youth National Festival. The band tours regularly and have performed across Europe and North America in recent years. Craig has also been the Musical Director for a number of sell-out school productions including 'Return to the Forbidden Planet' and 'Suessical the Musical', along with an open air performance to celebrate the schools Golden Jubilee culminating in a massed performance of the 1812 Overture with over 100 musicians.
As Musical Director of the Tewit Youth Band for 6 years, Craig achieved numerous successes with the band including prizes at the National Youth Brass Band Championships, Music for Youth Finals, Whit Friday Marches and nearer to home as the reigning winners of the Harrogate Competitive Festival for 5 years. During Craig's time as Musical Director the band also had many successful tours, recorded 2 CD's and membership numbers grew to over 100 young brass musicians spread across 4 bands.
Craig has worked with the Harrogate International Youth Music Festival for the last 7 years - the only remaining International Youth Music Festival of it's type in the United Kingdom. The Festival draws ensembles from around the world to perform in the week long event that finishes with a massed band performance in the stunning Royal Hall. Craig is an Artistic Director for the festival and is involved in the planning and preparation of the week long event along with directing the massed band on the finale night - usually with over 200 young people performing!
In 2010, Craig took over as Musical Director of the Harrogate Band having spent 4 years as their Principal Euphonium player and latterly Bandmaster. In this time, Craig has led the band to victories at the Whit Friday Marches, 1st place at The Hardraw Scar Entertainment Contest and 1st place at the 1st Section North of England Championships in 2011 and 8th at the 2011 National Brass Band Finals, the highest finish ever achieved by the Band. He also directed and produced the Band's latest CD in 2011 which is due for release in early 2012. Craig has been at the forefront of ensuring the band is a hit with audiences continuing to perform with vocalists, improving the Bands image and ensuring the Band performs a wide range of music.
Craig is in demand as a teacher and conductor and has collaborated with many different organisations over the years. Highlights have included an outdoor staged performance of Wind in the Willows with the Harrogate Youth Theatre, a highly successful CD recording with the Harrogate Choral Society and world premieres of music by Ivor Novello winning composer Richard Jacques. New music is always part of Craig's programming and has seen him work with many different composers in many different ensembles.
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