John Doyle

The Flugelhorn seat is generously sponsored by Mrs Anne Doyle

John is heralded as one of the leading performers on the cornet, flugel horn and trumpet and is great demand as a soloist, conductor, adjudicator and educator. John started playing brass instruments from the tender age of 13. His banding development included playing for Lancashire Youth Brass Band, Lostock Hall Memorial Band, Freckleton Band, the BT Band and the Fairey Band. He gained a place to study music at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, achieving a 2:1 qualification.

Before arriving at Leyland, John spent 10 years at the Black Dyke Band, 1 year on Repiano cornet, and 9 as the flugel horn soloist. During this time he travelled extensively to Bermuda, America, Canada, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, France, Austria, Norway, Italy and Australia. John has also recorded music for the “Ground Force”, “Dinnerladies”, “Jools Holland Live” and “Songs of Praise” television programmes, and worked with diverse artists such as Peter Gabriel, Beautiful South, The Eels, Moby, Billy Bragg, Craig David, Gabrielle, Merz and most recently, Kate Rusby.

John is a real educator and believes in making music fun for all young people. He currently tutors with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, and is musical director of the Lancashire Schools Symphony Orchestra. He has begun an adjudicating career, judging slow melody competitions and at the National Youth Band Championships of Great Britain.

John currently holds the position of Head of Performing Arts and Music at the Lostock Hall Community High School and Arts College (Preston), and is a teaching fellow of the University of Cumbria, and a “Fast Track Teacher” and a “Champion Teacher” for Musical Futures. He has also been awarded the title of “Champion” with Lancashire Music Service for his work as a dynamic head of music in the Lancashire region.