He was a conductor, composer, teacher, adjudicator and radio presenter born in Elland, Yorkshire, who conducted many bands and orchestras through the course of his career.
In 1984 he became the Music Director of the National Youth Band of Great Britain and remained with them for 16 years until 2000.
He also led many brass bands including the Black Dyke Mills Band, Grimethorpe and Besses o’ th’ Barn and was extremely involved in brass band competitions as a conductor and adjudicator at national and international level, winning 5 British Open Championships and a National Brass Band Championship.
As a composer and arranger he published over 100 works and his “Concerto for Piano and Band” was given its world premiere at the Royal Albert Hall in London. This Concerto appears on the recording Concertos for Brass by Besses o’ th’ Barn and albums he appeared on as a conductor include All of the World’s Most Beautiful Melodies!, A Christmas Fantasy, Hymns & Things, Pastoral Classics Music For a Summer’s Day and Traditionally British to name a few.
Nationally known as a radio presenter he was heard on Listen to the Band for 8 years, which was a programme broadcast by BBC Radio 2.
In the world of musical education he was Head of Brass Studies at the University of Salford.
His services to music were recognised with the award of the Silver Medal of the Worshipful Company of Musicians, an Honorary Graduate Diploma from the University of Salford, the Masters Dedicated Service Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award from British Bandsman.
He received his doctorate in 1999 and was the first to receive one for the research of brass band history.
He held the position of President of the National Association of Brass Band Conductors from 1993.
He died in Bury in
Black Dyke Mills Band recordings
A Christmas Festival ((Leroy Anderson)
Chandos 4541 (CD: A Christmas Fantasy)
Choir – Huddersfield Choral Society
Conductor – Roy Newsome
Here’s Roy’s “Concerto for Piano and Band” performed by the Black Dyke Mills Band…
Sources:
- http://www.brassinconcert.com/roynewsome.html
- http://www.thebrassherald.com/news0549.htm
- http://www.mountcharlesband.co.uk/conductorsroy.htm
- http://www.amazon.com/Concertos-Brass-Edward-Gregson/dp/B000000A7G
- http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gbfyxqyjldje~T2
- http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/conductor/Newsome,+Roy/a/Roy+Newsome.htm