Craig has been the Musical Director of The Staffordshire Band since 2017. He began playing
Bb tuba at the age of 11 beginning a long banding career. Born in Smethwick in the West Midlands, he joined Langley Junior band at the tender age of 14 progressing to Langley Prize Band aged 16 under the direction of Dennis Masters.
In 1987 Craig and two close friends (Harold McNeill and Ian Gibbs) formed Sovereign Brass spending the next 21 years playing in many prestigious contests (National Championship finals at The Royal Albert Hall, All England Masters, Grand Shield). In 2009 he felt it was time to broaden his horizons and joined the esteemed Flowers Band. The band went onto become one of the premier bands in the world playing regularly at the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall, British Open at Symphony Hall, Brass in Concert at The Sage. This period also included tours to Switzerland and France and winning the French Open on three occasions.
Craig left Flowers in 2016 and finished his playing career in 2017 competing at The British Open and National Championships of Great Britain with the World famous Desford Colliery Band (also including a tour of Thailand and Singapore).
During his playing career Craig has played under many esteemed musical Directors including Harry Mortimer, Roy Newsome, Richard Evans, Garry Cutt, Frank Renton, Howard Snell, Major Peter Parkes, Stephen Roberts, James Gourlay, Michael Fowles, Paul Holland, Bob Childs and many more too numerous to mention. He feels he has had the very best education listening to the instruction of these amazing musicians and attempts to replicate the best of these in making music both enjoyable and informative.
“The Staffordshire Band is a joy to work with and our new CD is the culmination of the first five years rebuilding this fine band.”
Outside of banding Craig is the resident organist at Holy Trinity Church in Old Hill where he worships weekly with his wife Joanne. They also run a successful youth club for 8-14 year olds from the church.
