Thomas Dunne Appointed as  Musical Director

Tom first began playing the euphonium with Cwmbran Youth Band in 2001, before progressing to play principal roles with the Greater Gwent Youth Brass Band and the National Youth Brass Band of Wales. He later studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with renowned euphonium virtuoso David Childs, graduating with a BMus (Hons) in 2016, and an MMus in Music Performance in 2017. During this time, Tom began working as a peripatetic brass tutor and as a freelance music journalist, and still regularly contributes to Brass Band World Magazine and writes a regular column for the Swiss magazine BRASS BAND. Since 2019,

Tom has been in the process of completing a PhD at the Cardiff University School of Social Science, alongside working as a Graduate Tutor at the university. Funded by the ESRC, his research examines the impact of local authority music service funding reductions on the accessibility of music education.

During his time at the RWCMD, Tom played with the Markham and District Silver Band, as well as regularly playing as a guest with numerous bands in contests, concerts, and recordings. At the end of 2017 Tom moved to play with Filton Concert Brass, performing with the band in multiple contest successes, including a hat-trick of Welsh Open Championship victories between 2018 and 2020, alongside two CD recordings, and numerous concerts, including a tour to Lithuania. In 2019,

Tom discovered a passion for conducting, being asked to Forest of Dean Brass at their 25th anniversary concert, and later in the year being appointed Musical Director of Lydney Town Band. After conducting Forest of Dean Brass through their summer concert season in 2021, Tom was delighted to accept the position of Musical Director.

‍