Ian was born in Birmingham and studied Tuba at the Birmingham Conservatoire before gaining a Postgraduate Diploma in Orchestral Training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama thanks to a generous scholarship from the Countess of Munster Trust.
Whilst at college Ian won the Brass Prize, the Brass Chamber Music Prize, participated in the CBSO Scheme, was a Finalist in the International Tuba Conference Soloist Award and was also a semi-finalist in the Shell/LSO Brass Scholarship. He was principal tuba of the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain, reserve tuba for the European Union Youth Orchestra and offered the post of Principal Tuba for the World Youth Orchetsra.
Ian is a member of the CBSO Brass Quintet ‘Brass Explosion’, English Symphony Orchestra, and performs regularly with the renowned Fine Arts Brass Ensemble, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. He has recently been on trial with the Ulster Orchestra and the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra, and is on the extra work list for several orchestras including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, London Soloists Chamber Orchestra, London Concert Orchestra and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Ian was also invited to the live auditions for the New York Philharmonic Orchestra after passing the CD recording stage.
As a soloist Ian has made concerto performances with Birmingham Symphonic Winds, York University Wind Orchestra and the Birmingham Schools’ Brass Band.
Ian holds teaching posts at Warwick School, Warwick University, Education Group Ltd, and with the Birmingham Music Service as well as being involved in the CBSO’S education programme. He has adjudicated major competitions (most recently at the International Trombone Festival alongside the CBSO trombone section and Bob Hughes), auditioned students for orchestral positions (Including the CBSO Youth Orchestra and the CBSO Scheme) and coaches low brass for the National Youth Wind Orchestra and the CBSO Youth Orchestra.
His brass arrangements have been performed by the CBSO Brass Quintet, London Tuba Quartet, Dudley Music Service, Royal College of Music Tuba Ensemble, and the CBSO Youth Orchestra Brass Quintet.
