Musical Director
Callum Harrison started banding at the age of 11 in Backworth Colliery Junior Band. His first instrument was baritone and was taught by Dennis Taylor. Callum picked up music very quickly and soon moved onto cornet where his musical ability escalated and he played 2nd cornet for Backworth Colliery Brass Band only months later.
In school, Callum plays in the orchestra and is a key member of the school choir. He often plays solos in concerts and is a well respected person in the Music Department. Also recently, Callum has started giving trumpet lessons in school.
In 2008, Callum entered the James Shepherd Special Performance Class in the Wansbeck Music Festival. The adjudicator was very pleased with his rendition of Alan Morrison’s “Buster Strikes Back” and awarded him 1st place.
Last year, Callum conducted the junior band and was eager to help out by giving instrumental lesson along with basic music theory. He then left Backworth in sight of a higher challenge and joined Westoe Brass Band on Solo Cornet, under the musical direction of Jason Smith. He was, in October 2010, asked to play Soprano Cornet, where he now plays and enjoys.
Recently, Callum has flourished in composition. Last year he selected two of his compositions to enter for GCSE Music and he received an A*. He is now studying for A Level Music where he is expected to achieve a similar result. In July 2011 Callum sat his ABRSM Grade 8 Cornet exam, he received a distinction with a mark of 139/150.
Callum, now only 17 years old, continues to expand his musical knowledge and is grateful for the opportunity to lead Backworth. He hopes for a successful and rewarding journey with full support from the band.
