On Facebook?
So are we!
Use this link
to get to our page or search for York Railway Institute Band
Where to find us
York Railway Institute, Queen Street, York, YO24 1AD (close to York Station)
Rehearsal times
Mondays and Thursdays from 8pm to 10pm
Contact details
Please telephone our Secretary on 01904 659945 or send an email to secretary@yrib.org.uk
We are grateful for the continuing support of York Co-operative Funeralcare
All photographs are by members and friends of the Band, unless otherwise stated.
Next Public Concert
Saturday 13 March
2pm
St Chad's Church
Future Concerts
Vacancies
We currently have a vacancy on BBb Bass. If you are interested, please contact our Secretary.
Latest Recording
Our latest recording, MAINLINE BRASS, is available.
Order Form (PDF)
Musical Director - Gordon Eddison, B Ed(Hons) L Mus LSM NABBC
Gordon Eddison started his musical career at the age of 11 playing Bass when he was encouraged to join the Hammonds Sauce Works Junior Band by his brass teacher Geoff Whitham. In this band over the next three years he appeared in the National Brass Band Championships three times and met his future wife – Sheila. After a two year stay with Haworth Band – including a National Championship win, he was invited to play with the famous Yorkshire Imperial Metals Band under the leadership of Trevor Walmsley DFC. This band was, at the time, perhaps the foremost Band in Yorkshire and helped him achieve an early ambition – to play in the Royal Albert Hall by the age of 18 years. Recordings, European tours and successes in both the British Open and National Championships followed over the next few years.
A career in the Police Service intervened and he spent a few years playing with The Hawley Band alongside his wife Sheila as they gained promotion from the Fourth Section right up to the Championship. During this time his interest in conducting was sparked when he took The Queensbury Band to the Yorkshire Area (gaining 4th place) and started the second of the Hammonds Junior Bands – which developed into a 4th section contesting band.
Whilst working as the West Yorkshire Police Drugs Education Officer Gordon was awarded a Bachelor of Education Honours Degree.
Over the years he has been privileged to play with Hammonds Sauce Works Band conducted by Richard Evans and latterly by Geoff Whitham, Black Dyke conducted by James Watson, Yorkshire Building Society conducted by David King and Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band under William Rushworth.
Numerous foreign tours, recordings and competitions have developed Gordon's strong belief that Banding should be enjoyable and exciting. Gordon has had contesting success conducting Elland Band at Pontins and the Yorkshire Area.
His most influential musician is most definitely Geoffrey Whitham - a master musician as a player, conductor and adjudicator. Gordon is particularly proud that Geoff taught him and then his son Dan who now plays trombone with the current Yorkshire Champions – Rothwell Temperance Band. Gordon's other son Chris is a talented singer and amateur sound engineer.
Gordon took up full-time brass teaching on his retirement from the Police seven years ago and currently teaches, as does his wife, for Education Leeds Music Service – Artforms.
Gordon also conducts Otley Band. Although a non-registered band, they have, together, won the Hardraw Brass Festival lower section 2 years running and this year were in the prizes in the Open section.
Gordon has a feeling of anticipation and excitement at the new challenge of conducting York Railway Institute Band; he is very aware of the long traditions of musical excellence and intends to make a very strong challenge at the forthcoming Northern Area Championships in March 2010.