The band's Musical Director, Keith Leonard, is well known in East Midlands banding circles, having been involved with several bands in the area, as a player, music arranger and conductor.
Keith was born into a banding Salvation Army family and was greatly influenced by being surrounded by quality brass band music. He took up the cornet at a very early age, playing in both junior and senior bands of Peterborough Citadel where his father was the Bandmaster for several years.
As a young principal cornet player Keith was regularly featured as a soloist at musical festivals and events and enjoyed one-to-one tuition from David Read.
Over the years, playing cornet and trumpet, he has been involved playing in Brass Bands, Orchestras, Wind Bands and 'Pit-Orchestras' for live stage shows, but will readily admit that his true allegiance lies with Brass Bands.
Keith occupied the Principal seats in County Youth Brass Band and Orchestra before progressing to playing in Championship Section Brass Bands with several fondly remembered opportunities of playing under some of the famous names in banding circles in Europe and the U.K.
Keith's earliest conducting experiences were in the Salvation Army receiving conducting tuition at SA Music Schools whilst still a teenager. Later he was appointed Bandmaster of the Leicester Forestes Band when just 22 years of age
After being a member of the Leicestershire Symphony Orchestra, Leicester Foresters Band and William Davis Construction Band, (as well as assisting other local band including Ransomes and Desford) Keith took a sabbatical from musical activity and the demands of top level banding prior to being appointed as Musical Director of Derwent Brass in 1993, one year after it's formation. This has been a most successful relationship. Keith's relaxed style, whilst demanding the highest standards, coupled with the enthusiasm of the members of Derwent Brass has proved to be a winning formula.
A member of the National Association of Brass Band Conductors, Keith is often called upon by other bands in the area and also took on the Musical Director's role at the popular Hathern Youth (B) band for several years until reluctantly resigning that position due to other commitments.
His musical activity has also extended into adjudicating at Brass Solo & Ensemble competitions, a development he describes as exciting and slightly frightening! Keith is fortunate to have a very understanding and supportive wife, Beverley, (who is also is a great supporter of the band) and
they have two sons, Chris & Peter, who are both brass players (Chris - Cornet, Peter - Tenor Horn) and are continuing the family tradition. Chris has been Principal Cornet at both Hathern Youth Band and the well known Youth Brass 2000, and is now member of the solo cornet line up in Derwent Brass, Peter has been 1st horn with Youth Brass 2000 and Solo Horn with Hathern Youth Band and has also enjoyed the opportunity to play in Derwent Brass on occasions.
Away from band and work Keith and Beverley relax by getting away to the coast and countryside as often as band commitments will allow and Keith is a classic motorcycle enthusiast .
