Matthew Ryan grew up playing with Smithills School Senior Brass Band, as they won multiple national and international titles from 2001-2008, including as a soloist on tours of the USA and as principal in the band’s 2005 WMC title. He has also been a playing member of numerous trophy winning bands including Wingates and Hammonds.
Whilst at university, Matthew was a driving force behind the Merge Festival Orchestra formed in 2012 to perform Beethoven 9 as part of the cultural olympiad. He has completed engagements with multiple orchestras including performing at the Royal Albert Hall. In brass banding, Matthew has directed trophy winning performances across his career at bands including Horwich RMI, Flixton and City of Bradford.
In 2022 Matthew directed Flixton Band to a gold medal performance at the World Music Contest, Kerkrade.
Matthew was delighted to win the Brass Band Conductors Association’s Conducting Competition in 2023. The prize was secured by leading rehearsals on test piece repertoire and concert performances. Matthew was recognised for his ‘authoritative conducting’ and ‘complete musical intent and purpose’ by the panel of judges.
Matthew has worked in rehearsal and performance with bands across the country, including the world famous Fodens and Grimethorpe Colliery Bands. In 2024, he was delighted to accept an invitation to join the executive of the Brass Band Conductors Association, and is proud to begin a long term musical relationship as Musical Director of his home town’s infamous Wingates Band.
| Location | Manchester |
| Telephone | 07872878431 |
| matthew.ryan243@gmail.com | |
| https://www.facebook.com/mattryanconductor | |
| X | @mattiraz |