Nicholas Eastwood - Musical Director

Nicholas Eastwood began playing music at the age of three. It wasn't until 2005, that he discovered the world of brass bands, when he was encouraged by his younger brother to come along to band practices at Shepherd Group Band, York with an old trombone. Since then, he went through the ranks at the Shepherd Group playing Trombone, Euphonium and Baritone. He finished under the baton of Timothy Oldroyd in a first section band after just four years of experience. 

In 2009, Nicholas took over as the Musical Director of Yorkshire Traction Honley Band, nr Huddersfield of which he had his first real experience of conducting. As Musical Director, he took a band of 10 players and turned the band's fortunes around to a point where Nicholas' final performance with the band was on stage at the Holme Valley Contest. He also did his fair share of record breaking, becoming the youngest director of a brass band in the UK at 19yrs albeit for only a few months when beaten by his younger brother, Jack, with the Golden Rail Band. Nicholas joined the Golden Rail Band in September 2009 on trombone. 

In 2010, Nicholas started a new chapter, sadly leaving the Shepherd Group organisation and Yorkshire Traction Honley to become part of the Railway Institute Band, who were beginning a very successful period which is still very much on-going. He is playing solo trombone under the guidance of the very able Gordon Eddison. He also took on a teaching role within the Golden Rail Band, which soon became a popular endeavour. By the end of the year, there was such a demand for the teaching that the formation of the Golden Rail Development Band was granted. 

As well as the conducting and playing, Nicholas is an avid composer for all musical forces. Recently, Nicholas was also appointed the composer in residence at the Wetherby Silver Band. Soon it is hoped that a number of new works will be penned for the Wetherby Band. Nicholas is currently studying classical composition at Leeds College of Music under the direction of Dr. David Fligg, a prolific musical analysist and conductor in Leeds. Nicholas' recent works include "And I Saw a New Heaven", which was nominated for the Sanders Composers Competition 2011, as part of the Three Choirs Festival. His current big work is called "Earth Rise". Currently written for orchestra, Nicholas also hopes to rescore it as a brass band test piece. He is also working on a piece to be written for YORK 800, which is celebrating 800yrs of being an independant city. Make sure to listen out for that.

What does Nicholas bring to York RI Golden Rail Band? His aim is clear - to make the band a happy place to be, play good music, and entertain the local community through his infectious enthusiasm and love for the band.