Conductor Profile
Harborne Orchestra appointed former Royal Marines Bandmaster
Patrick Ryan as our conductor in October 2003. The orchestra and Pat thorougly
enjoyed the 2003/04 & 2004/05 years and hope to continue to move forward
together in 2005/06.
Patrick Ryan served in the Royal Marines Band Service for twenty-two years, initially as a clarinettist and violinist and then as a conductor. "I am very pleased to be able to bring my experience to the Harborne Orchestra where everyone is really friendly. Although Friday evening rehersals at the Martineau Centre may put some people off, in fact they are the perfect way to wind down after a hard week. I will make rehersals both enjoyable and productive.I look forward to building on this excellent start and invite other players, particularly strings and brass, to come and try us out".
In 1990, having gained LRSM and ARCM diplomas in orchestra and wind band conducting, Pat became conductor of the Royal Navy Volunteer Band at HMS Dryad, outside Portsmouth. Over the next three years his Bands membership doubled, and for the first time in their history, they went on to win the prestigious awards as the Best Volunteer Band in the Royal Navy. Promoted to Warrant Officer in 1996 he joined the Royal Marines Band at Britannia Royal Navy College in Dartmouth and whilst there led ensembles to Hong Kong, USA and the Falklands Islands.
Retiring from the Marines in 2000, Pat became Tour Manager for the Monteverdi Choir's Bach Cantata Pilgrimage and in 2001 he came to Birmingham to work as Orchestra Manager of the CBSO. Currently Pat teaches woodwind for Birmingham Music Service and is Administrator for the Birmingham Early Music Festival.
