Interim Musical Director
Juan is an experienced educator and performer of brass instruments currently heading up the Isle of Man Music Service, a part of the Department of Education, Sport and Culture. He also plays with a number of groups including Manx Youth Band and Manx Concert Brass, The Brass Machine - Isle of Man, Brassified - Isle of Man and the Blue Train Big Band.
Previous Musical Directors
Ian Astill 2019-2023
Inspired by his Grandfather Bobby and Uncles Gordon and Kenny, Ian began his brass playing around 1993, taking lessons with Major Thirtle at Victoria Road School in Castletown. He began playing with the Senior Band over Christmas 1996 and spent 11 years playing Tenor horn before moving to Euphonium in 2005. Upon Major Thirtle’s retirement he had further lessons with Steve Wortley through the IOM Music Service.
In 2007 he left the island to study for a BMus(Hons) from the RNCM in Manchester. There he studied under Steven Mead and David Thornton as well as meeting and working with many other famous brass tutors. He played regularly with Eccles Borough Band under Les Webb and Marieka Gray and played Solo Euphonium at several contests including wins at Whit Friday, Butlins and the North West Regionals which led to an appearance at the National Finals in Harrogate.
After graduating he returned to the Island, working at Friends Provident International and taking the baton at CMSB as interim Musical Director for a year. He travelled back across the water to play at several contests and occasions with Eccles Borough.
In 2015, Ian travelled to Bangor in North Wales to study for a PGCE in Primary Education. Whilst there he played with the Bangor University Brass Band and Llanrug Band, taking part in the Unibrass contest and the Welsh Regional contest.
Upon returning to the Island in 2016, Ian began a career as a Primary School Teacher at Peel Clothworkers’ School and returned to the Euphonium seat at CMSB for a brief stint before being asked to take up the baton once again as Musical Director. He has also arranged and composed several pieces for Brass Band, most of which regularly feature in CMSB concert programmes.
John Collings 2014 - 2016 and 2017 - 2019
Ken Mitchell 2016 - 2017
Rodney Evans 2006 - 2013
Major J E 'Tommy' Thirtle 1978 - 2005
Affectionately known as Tommy or Major, he was invited to take over the conductorship of the band in 1978. Formerly of the Blues, he had a long and illustrious musical career in the Army before moving to the island in 1973 to take up a peripatetic post with the Isle of Man Board of Education.
Jack Ollerenshaw - 1978
Henry Mylchreest
Charles Cubbon
Tom Stewart Cubbon 1932 - 1960
W H Cubbon 1896 - 1932
John Cubbon 1896 - 1898
