Musical Director - Sarah Fellowes
Sarah’s love of brass banding started when she began learning the Euphonium at the age of nine after listening to the St Keverne Band on a holiday in Cornwall. This lead to a great enthusiasm for music, through school and into further education. After completing a Music degree and PGCE in Secondary Music teaching at The University of Birmingham and Durham University respectively, Sarah embarked on a successful career as a music teacher.
Brass banding has always been a big part of Sarah’s life, an interest first sparked by being part of the Staffordshire Youth Brass Band. At University, Sarah was responsible for the establishment of The University of Birmingham Brass Band. After relocating to Derbyshire for work, she spent 6 years as Principal Euphonium at Dronfield Genquip Band, before moving to Newstead Band on second Euphonium. She currently plays at Darley Dale Band on Principal Euphonium.
During her time at Dronfield, Sarah was given the opportunity to conduct the Dronfield Training Brass Band from 2011 – 2013. Then, in 2016 was asked to be MD of BM&W Band in Wirksworth. The band developed greatly in her time there, and despite being non-contesting, embraced the opportunity provided by Denby’s Brass on the Grass Contest; achieving both second and first place Community and Village Band over their three years of entering.
With regards to her recent appointment as Musical Director of Bakewell Silver Band, Sarah is chuffed.
“To be given the opportunity to work with great musicians, in a band with such a friendly, positive ethos, is just fantastic. I am very optimistic and excited about the future of the band, and what we can achieve together.”