Nigel enjoyed a reputation as a creative, inspiring conductor.

He was well known for his innovative, imaginative work with youth ensembles in Bolton, Shropshire, Staffordshire, and as guest conductor of many county youth and school orchestras, brass and wind bands in England, Scotland, Germany and France. He co-founded the International Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (a partnership between Bolton and its two twin towns – Paderborn, Germany and Le Mans, France) which continued for over 30 years.

He was equally at home in the world of adult music making. He was founder-conductor of Bolton Symphony Orchestra, Harmonie ’84 Wind Orchestra, Corus Brass Ensemble and Voce. He has also been Music Director of Birmingham Sinfonietta, James Shepherd Versatile Brass and Besses o’th’ Barn.

Nigel was delighted to return to Corus Brass Ensemble as its guest music director in 2016 until he retired in 2021.

He has also appeared with ensembles such as:

Nigel has commissioned and premiered a number of new works by David Bedford, Edward Gregson, Joseph Horovitz, David Stanhope, Carl Vine, John Wood, and Guy Woolfenden, and has worked with international artists such as Barry Banks, Ian Bousfield, Ian Fountain, Chris Hirons, Yvonne Howard, Christian Lindberg,  Don Lusher, Peter Moore, Matyas Olveti, Hannah Roberts, James Shepherd and others.

He has recorded many times over the years, mostly live performances, occasionally in the studio. Here is a little selection of his work:

A Merry Little Christmas performed by Corus Brass Ensemble, BMS Singers, Bolton Youth Harmonies, from a CD in aid of Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, recorded and engineered by the late, great Richard Scott in 2018.

Not So Silent Night (arranged John Parkinson) with Corus Brass Ensemble, from the same CD recorded in 2018.

Dies Irae from a complete performance of Verdi’s Requiem recorded live in Lichfield Cathedral with Staffordshire County Chorus and Staffordshire Symphony Orchestra, featured on BBC Radio 4 in 2015.

Dies Irae from a complete performance of Mozart’s Requiem recorded live in Lichfield Cathedral with Staffordshire County Chorus and Staffordshire Symphony Orchestra, featured on BBC Radio 4 in 2016

A couple of personal favourites from past years:

3rd movement of Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C major recorded live in Lichfield Cathedral performed by Mátyás Ölveti (soloist) and Staffordshire Symphony Orchestra, featured on BBC Radio 3 in 2008

Final section – “Alles Vergängliche” – from a complete performance of Mahler 8th Symphony, recorded live at Symphony Hall Birmingham, with Staffordshire County Chorus, Staffordshire Symphony Orchestra in 2004

Jubilate Deo, by Guy Woolfenden performed by Voce in Wrekin College Chapel in 2004, recorded live by Paul Arden-Taylor.

The Handsome Butcher, one of Mátyás Seiber’s Hungarian Folk Songs performed by Voce in St Mary’s Abbey, Colwich on a bitterly cold January day in 2002, recorded live by Paul Arden-Taylor.

From many years gone by…….

My Funny Valentine (arranged Michael J Lyons) with Corus Brass Ensemble, recorded and engineered by Baz Barker at Studio 7, BBC Manchester in 1988.

And a couple of videos (apologies for the quality – they were live recordings).

Staffordshire Performing Arts – July 2013, Symphony Hall, Birmingham. We used to perform here regularly; here’s “Climb Every Mountain” with Staffordshire & Stoke massed choirs and youth orchestra:

Corus Brass Ensemble – “Also Sprach Zarathustra” R Strauss, arr. M J Lyons. live at the Paderhalle, Paderborn, April 1991.