Musical Director

Matthew Whitfield Ba Hons, PGCE

Matt began his brass banding career at the age of 8 with Astley Youth Band and the Bolton Training Band as a percussionist progressing to the Bolton Youth Band and other ensembles within Bolton Music Service. From there he was invited to join local bands starting with Eccles Borough Band before moving to Besses Boys. At the age of 14, Matt moved to Besses o'th Barn before joining Freckleton Band.

In October 2008 he was approached to join his hometown band which is the Wingates Band. In May 2011, Matt moved to the world famous Black Dyke Band, spending two successful years with the Queensbury based band. During this time, he played in some of the most prestigious venues across the UK and Europe and won various contests including the European Championships in 2012.

Matt has also enjoyed playing with Blackburn and Darwen, Milnrow and Rainford bands before joining the Pemberton Old Wigan Brass Bands organisation in the summer of 2019. In March 2023, Matt took over as Musical Director of the Rivington and Adlington Band and lead the band to the National Finals and the 4th Section Tameside Whit Friday in 2023 and the 3rd Section overall winning band in 2024. In addition to this, the band also had prize winning performances in local contests.

Matt studied at the University of Salford, working on performance with Andrea Price, conducting with Dr. Howard Evans and brass band arranging with Professor Peter Graham. Away from brass bands, Matt is a secondary school teacher and is currently Head of Music at Lowton CofE High School.