to the activities that would hold his attention thereafter. As a freelance conductor, arranger/composer and teacher On leaving the London Symphony Orchestra, a chance conversation with a colleague James Watson generated Watson's suggestion that, similar to Elgar Howarth's work with Grimethorpe Colliery Band and the latter's development of a significantly wider repertoire, Snell might be interested in similar work with Desford Colliery Band. Taking that opportunity led to the band's rise to prominence while initiating a significant volume of arrangements for brass band by Snell that introduced band audiences and players to unfamiliar repertoire. In addition, with the then East Midlands Arts helpful co-operation, Snell commissioned a number of new works by British composers. Following his work at Desford the rebuilding of the Foden's Band then followed. From 1987 he undertook the long-term development of the Eikanger Band in Norway and the Co-operative Wholesale Society Band in Scotland. He now focusses on composition rather than arranging: his work Gallery was the test piece for the British Brass Band Championships held in the Royal Albert Hall, London, in 2017. During the period 1980 to 2012 he continued teaching in a wide range of disciplines including conducting and writing for brass. During his time at the Royal Northern College of Music, apart from his activities in the Brass Department, when he founded and created the Brass Band Course and a Brass Band Conductors' Course, he also for several years worked with the symphony and chamber orchestras. His teaching activities bore fruit in two books, firstly The Trumpet – Its Practice and Performance, A Guide for Students, which was very warmly received on its publication in 1996, and secondly The Art of Practice followed, for student performers on all instruments. A book of insights and opinion (rather than direct instruction) on conducting and music performance is in preparation. From 1998 to 2012 he was appointed a Professor at the Royal Academy of Music, which elected him both a Fellow and an Associate. This was a particularly happy and productive period in his teaching career. He was awarded the Iles Medal in 1995 by the Worshipful Company of Musicians and received the Hubert Whiteley Award for Creativity in 2017. He publishes his compositions, arrangements and books through Rakeway Music. Personal life Howard Snell currently lives in South-West France with Angela, a fellow musician and his wife of 54 years, but finds himself as active