Musical Directors
Brunel Brass collaborates with a family of locally acclaimed conductors and artists, each infusing their performances with unique personality and flavour.
Daniel Hall,
BA (Hons)
Musical Director
Chris McMullin,
BSc (Hons), ATCL
Academy Conductor
John Winterflood,
ARCM, LGSM
Founder & Conductor Emeritus
Clive Compson,
BA
Academy Conductor
Matthew Walton,
ATCL
Chairman & Principal Academy Conductor
Matthew Rowe,
BA (Hons)
Principal Guest Conductor
Daniel Hall
Musical Director
Daniel graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama with First Class Honours in Contemporary Composition. Whilst studying, Daniel wrote “Smoke Sketches” and “Sanctuary!”, the set test for the National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain and European Youth Brass Band Championships respectively. In 2019, Daniel won the seventh European Composers Competition in Montreux, Switzerland, for his brass band composition “A Dialogue of Transmogrified Souls…”. He was asked to compose two fanfares for RWCMD. The first was in honour of the college’s principal, Dame Hilary Boulding, and the second for the college’s president, King Charles III, to mark his 70th birthday, which Daniel conducted.
Recently, Daniel worked with current European Champions, Brass Band Treize Etoiles, on a new major composition for the 2021 Swiss Nationals, “Gl!tch”, premiered in the Auditorium Stravinski on his 25th Birthday. In 2022 and 2023, Daniel worked with Stavanger Brass Band in order to create their entire twenty five minute set, “United We Stand, Divided We Fall” and “HumAnIty” for which the ensemble was awarded second place at SIDDIS Brass Band Entertainment Contest.
Since 2018 Daniel has conducted Brunel Brass Under Daniel's leadership, the band has achieved remarkable success, securing 10 placements within the top six and claiming four first-place victories at contests both locally and nationally. Additionally, the band ascended to the championship division, earning qualification to the national finals and achieving its highest-ever result in the championship section. Furthermore, in 2023, the band received the prestigious honour of being ranked among the top 50 brass bands worldwide (Brass Stats, December 2023). In early 2024, Daniel was chosen as the professional conductor for the newly formed 'Welsh TV & FILM Orchestra', gearing up for a packed concert season starting in January 2025.
Daniel Hall is a Professional composer, arranger and conductor whose works have been performed by some of the country’s leading ensembles, including the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Orchestra of Opera North, Tredegar Town Band, Fodens Brass Band, Grimethorpe Colliery Band, A4 Brass Quartet, and the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.
His music has been performed and recorded internationally by soloists and ensembles such as: The European Youth Brass Band, Stavanger Brass Band [NOR] Lode Violet & Brass Band Willebroek [BEL], Brass Band Öberösterreich [AUT], Fabian Bloch & Liberty Brass Band [CHE], Atlantic Brass Band [USA], Brass Band Treize Etoiles [CHE], Malú Garcia (PRT), South Brisbane Federal Band [AUT], as well as many more.
Matthew Walton
Chairman & Principal Academy Conductor
Renowned as one of the preeminent cornet players in the West of England, Matthew Walton has left an indelible mark on the brass band community. A founding member of Brunel in December 2006, Matthew has held the dual roles of principal cornet and chairman from the band's inception in the 4th section and throughout its ascent to the championship section. During his tenure, Matthew's exceptional talent earned him an Associate of Trinity College London (ATCL) for his Cornet playing.
Beyond his virtuoso performances, Matthew has dedicated over three decades to brass education, shaping the next generation of musicians. He established youth ensembles within the Brunel Brass organization, fostering a passion for music among aspiring young players.
In 2013, recognising a demand for adult instruction, Matthew formed a small ensemble for new adult learners, many of whom were parents of children in the youth band. In 2016, he took on the role of conductor for the rising stars, further expanding opportunities for musical growth within the organization.
Under Matthew's guidance, Brunel Brass has flourished, producing a wealth of talented musicians. Many alumni have gone on to join some of the world's premier brass bands, a testament to Matthew's enduring legacy and commitment to musical excellence.
Chris McMullin
Academy Conductor
Chris started learning the trumpet at the age of 9, and quickly moved onto the Euphonium at the age of 10. After joining a local youth band Chris began being trained by John winterflood and he progressed to play with Swindon Pegasus, getting his first experience of brass band contesting, moving from second baritone to Euphonium over a three year period. In 2005 he went to the University of Nottingham and decided to continue playing with a band, joining Carlton Brass for two years and competing with them in the Midlands area contest twice. Upon returning to Wiltshire after graduating, Chris rejoined friends in the area by playing with the newly formed Brunel Brass.
Chris has really enjoyed being part of Brunel's success over the years, competing in many wins across the sections and seeing many new players developing and playing at a high level. A particular highlight was winning area and national championships, recognising that dedication and teamwork really does pay off. Chris completed his ATCL diploma in 2014, getting a distinction.
Chris started conducting in 2015 and has a background of training groups and individual players within the Academy bands. Passing on experience to people is something he finds very rewarding and believes that many lessons are learnt in the band hall, such as teamwork, commitment, standards and social skills, along with enjoying music and having fun.
CLive Compson
Academy Conductor
Clive's passion for conducting ignited during his school days in the early 1970s, where he found his calling leading annual house choir competitions. This passion blossomed further when he was given the opportunity to conduct the Swindon Youth Orchestra during musical segments at concerts.
Throughout the 1980s and 90s, Clive balanced his role as a percussionist for Wootton Bassett Brass with that of deputy conductor. In 1996, he joined Swindon Pegasus Brass as a percussionist, where he frequently lent his conducting expertise to train beginner and youth bands. In 2006, Clive assumed the position of Musical Director for Wootton Bassett Brass, a role he held for 12 years. During his tenure, he conducted at various concerts, fetes, royal events, and local town celebrations, including those commemorating the town's Royal title.
In 2023, Clive was honored with the opportunity to lead the Shooting Stars Band at Brunel Academy, where he delights in sharing his love, knowledge, and experience of music with budding musicians. Additionally, he serves as a guest conductor and player for rehearsals and concerts with Wroughton Silver Band and Royal Wootton Bassett Brass.
In his leisure time, Clive channels his musical energy as a drummer for a local rock band, performing gigs around Swindon.
John Winterflood
Founder & Conductor Emeritus
John Winterflood ARCM LGSM hails from Swindon in the West Country. His musical career began at the age of ten, and from an early age, he gained a reputation as an outstanding euphonium player. He enlisted into the army as a musician, starting his professional career with the Regimental Band of the Scots Guards and later the Royal Scots Regimental Band.
John's talent and ability caught the attention of the Principal Director of Music (Army), Lt. Col. Trevor Sharpe, who invited him to return to Kneller Hall on a three-year graduate bandmasters course. During this time, John studied Harmony, Aural, Orchestration, Conducting, and Band Management, while also serving as principal euphonium in the Kneller Hall No 1 Band and the Fanfare Team. He performed throughout the Queens Silver Jubilee Celebrations and earned his ARCM and LGSM in brass band studies.
In London, John seized the opportunity to work as a freelance performer, contributing to various recording studios on film and television music, as well as commercial 'Jingles'. Upon graduation from the Bandmaster's course, he was appointed Bandmaster of the Royal Irish Rangers Regimental Band, a position he held for over 10 years. During his tenure, he directed the band in many countries around the world and produced five albums with them.
Subsequently, John was appointed bandmaster at the Army Junior School of Music (Bovington) and the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall.
From the outset, John made his mark. During his one-year instrumental course at the Royal Military School of Music, he was a member of the famous "Kneller Hall Fanfare Team" and performed at many State Occasions, including Westminster Abbey at HRH Princess Anne's marriage to Captain Mark Phillips.
Matthew Rowe
Principal Guest Conductor
Matt, originally from Cornwall, started learning to play Cornet aged 9 in the Camborne Junior band under Alan Pope before moving to the Lanner Youth Band. Matt progressed into the Lanner and District Silver Band in 2007 on 2nd Baritone, moving onto solo Euphonium in 2010 aged 15. Whilst playing for Lanner and District, Matt was also a member of the Cornwall Youth Brass Band, winning Player of the Year in 2010 and 2013, as well as Player’s Player in 2013. In 2013, Matt moved to Cardiff to study at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama under David Childs and joined Tongwynlais Temperance on 1st Baritone before moving on to Solo Euphonium in 2014.
Whilst at RWCMD, Matt won the Phillip Jones Brass Ensemble prize with Indigo Brass, as well as winning the McGrenery Ensemble prize with both Indigo Brass and Eu4ia. Matt graduated in 2017 with 1st class honours. Following a spell with Ebbw Valley Brass, Matt joined the Flowers Band on Solo Euphonium in January 2019, before moving to 1st Baritone in January 2024. Matt won the Player of the Year and Player’s Player award in 2019, as well as being of the British Open Quartet winning ensemble formed by the band for the competition in 2022. Matt has also guested for a number of bands in the UK on the concert stage as well as CD recordings, including Fodens and Cory.
Along with playing, Matt has also conducted the Markham and District Band in Wales from 2015 to 2019. Matt also led Brunel Brass to their recent 4th place finish at the Wychavon Festival of Brass, and has previously guested as conductor for the Flowers Band and Tredegar Town Band.