Dommere
DAOs musikudvalg har hentet et særdeles kompetent dommerpanel hjem til årets DM Brass. Du kan læse meget mere om dem herunder.
David W. Johnson BMus (Hons) LLCM LRSM
Born and raised in Sennen Cove, Cornwall, David began his musical career with Penzance Silver Band before joining Lanner & District Silver Band on Solo Euphonium. In 1990 he joined the Royal Marines Band Service, enjoying a 27-year career as a professional euphonium and cello player, performing throughout the world.
An accomplished arranger and orchestrator, David’s work featured regularly at the Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall and has included arrangements for the world premiere of Skyfall and saxophonist Amy Dickson. He received the Herbert Lott Award for Innovation and Invention in Orchestration for four consecutive years from 2013–2016.
As a player, David spent part of 2014 on Second Euphonium with Cory Band, performing at the National Finals, Brass in Concert and on tour in Sweden.
David has conducted brass bands for more than 30 years. Most notably, he led Aldbourne Band from the First to Championship Section, winning the 2011 First Section National Final and later qualifying for the Championship Section National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall. He has also worked with leading bands including Foden’s, Flowers, GUS, Desford and Woodfalls.
David’s conducting work extends internationally, with regular invitations to Denmark to work with Concord Brass for concerts and major contest preparation. Most recently, he has also worked with Prinsens Musikkorps, the professional Royal Danish Air Force band.
David is Chairman of the Cornwall Brass Band Association and Musical Director of the Cornwall Youth Brass Band and remains committed to developing brass banding, conducting and young musicians both in Cornwall and further afield.
Gert Hattesen er trompetist og dirigent ved Prince of Denmark Royal Danish Air Force Band – i Danmark kendt som Prinsens Musikkorps. Han har gennem mange år arbejdet med en lang række danske brass bands på alle niveauer og har dermed et indgående kendskab til det danske brass band-miljø.
Magnus Brandseth er uddannet ved Griegakademiet i Bergen og er en musiker med en bemærkelsesværdig alsidighed. I løbet af sine mere end 20 år i Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag etablerede han sig som en af brass-verdenens førende tubaspillere. Han har vundet 12 norske mesterskaber, det europæiske brassband-mesterskab (European Brass Band Championship), Brass in Concert samt en lang række andre konkurrencer.
Som dirigent har Magnus opnået stor succes med både brassbands og harmoniorkestre. I de 12 år, han fungerede som musikalsk leder for Smørås Skolemusikk, vandt orkestret tre europæiske og syv norske mesterskaber, foruden adskillige andre konkurrencesejre.
Magnus er i dag musikalsk leder for Krohnengen Brass Band og Bjørsvik Brass. Han har ført begge ensembler til topplaceringer i store nationale og internationale konkurrencer, herunder Siddis Brass, Brass in Concert og de norske mesterskaber. Hans egne kompositioner og innovative koncertprogrammer er desuden blevet hædret med priser for henholdsvis bedste nye komposition og bedste program ved Brass in Concert.
I dag har Magnus en aktiv international karriere som dirigent og komponist og modtager bestillinger og invitationer fra nogle af verdens førende brassbands. Hans arbejde forener en stærk musikalsk identitet med en kreativ tilgang til både fremførelse, komposition og programudvikling.
The international brass band community regards Dr. Stephen Cobb to be one of the finest conductors and guiding music educators of the current era. He conducted the International Staff Band of The Salvation Army [ISB] for 32 years (1994—2026), providing throughout that period award-winning recordings (in excess of 50), innovative programs, and an outstanding model of musical ministry. This has included world-wide travel by that band, including tours in Europe, USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. Concurrent with his conducting of the ISB, Dr. Cobb served as the Director of Music and Creative Arts for the SA’s the United Kingdom Territory, overseeing all aspects of The Salvation Army’s musical and arts ministries in that region, a responsibility he held with distinction for 24 years (2001—2025), retiring from that position in May of 2025.
His innovative leadership in SA music and the ISB has brought about renewed vigour to that great musical tradition, marked symbolically by the establishment of the UK Territorial Youth Band, a group made up of the finest young players in the territory. In recognition for what he has achieved in brass band culture, Stephen received in 2010 the Iles Medal of the Worshipful Company of Musicians.
A music educator by profession and training, in July 2006 Dr. Cobb completed the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts, in instrumental conducting, at Salford University.
Stephen Cobb’s initial reputation was secured as a cornet soloist, at Hendon Corps and within The International Staff Band, having come from a family of talented bandmasters and soloists. He first joined the ISB in September 1975 and was principal cornet 1978—1993. Stephen also directed the Hendon (UK) Corps Band for nearly three decades, maintaining at that worship centre one of finest sacred ensembles.
His recording output in addition to the ISB includes conducting credits with several outstanding brass bands. His international reputation has seen him fulfill invitations the world over and at summer schools in Europe, USA, Canada, and Australia. Additionally, he has led courses of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and the National Youth Brass Band of Wales.
Stephen has been engaged as adjudicator at home and abroad, fulfilling this responsibility at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, British Open, New Zealand National Brass Band Championships, and Swiss National Championships.
Leigh hails from Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, and after earning his stripes with the local town band he came under the wing of Geoffrey Whitham at the Ancient Order of Foresters Band at 16 years of age.
Geoff was to continue to mentor Leigh in euphonium playing at Huddersfield Polytechnic (now University) when he studied there (majoring in performance) from 1988-92.
Leigh joined the Brighouse and Rastrick Band on euphonium in 1990, but it was on Solo Baritone that Leigh really made his mark. His illustrious playing career with Brighouse lasted 19 years and saw him lift many major contest prizes and perform throughout the UK, Europe and North America.
Leigh’s composing and arranging work is prolific and his award winning (including 2 Brass in Concert awards), entertaining music is featured by many bands and ensembles throughout the world and is widely published.
Since retiring from full-time playing in 2009, Leigh has been able to concentrate on his flourishing conducting career. His direction of the South Yorkshire Police Band saw them lift Yorkshire and National trophies and rise to Championship section status. Leigh’s work with a host of bands includes successful spells leading Carlton Main Frickley Colliery, Leyland and Hepworth and a year as Resident Conductor of the Brighouse and Rastrick Band.
Leigh is enjoying adjudicating at a variety of competitions and festivals, including regional and National Championships throughout the UK and in Europe. He has been a member of the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators for 15 years.
After a 30-year career as a very successful high school music teacher Leigh is now an in demand Celebrant, where he leads funerals, weddings and other services with personality and dignity.