Our Musical Director

Kevin Hegarty

Kevin began playing the cornet when he was 8 years old and soon joined Romford Band, rising briefly to Solo Cornet at the age of 11. When he was 13, he auditioned for and joined the National Youth Orchestra, rising to First Trumpet by the time he left, 4½ years later.

After leaving St. Ignatius’ College, he went to the Royal College of Music, funding his studies with Richard Walton and Ernest Hall by playing with all the London Orchestras, including The Philharmonia and The Royal Philharmonic, as well as with a number of London shows, including ‘My Fair Lady’ and ‘The Canterbury Tales’.

For nearly 2 years he played 2nd Trumpet in The London Symphony Orchestra, with Howard Snell. Later he joined Sadler’s Wells Opera Company, as Co-principal, rising to Principal in 1965.

However, in 1968 he elected to train for the teaching profession and was appointed to teach in the London Borough of Redbridge (with John Ridgeon), where he conducted the Redbridge Youth Band, which won many prizes.

On leaving to live in Norfolk in 1979, he founded the South Norfolk Youth Brass Band, which won the title ‘Champion Youth Band of London & the Southern Counties’ and went forward to play in the finals at The Royal Albert Hall. Twice the Band played at the Royal Festival Hall, in the National Festival of Music for Youth Finals, receiving the runners-up prize in 1983.

Moving to Norwich in 1985, he conducted the Norwich Students’ Concert Band, which also went to the Royal Festival Hall a number of times.
Finally retiring in 2004, and after three years playing with the Cawston Band, he now enjoys himself conducting Norfolk Wherry Brass (besides playing his cornet and trumpet wherever he can).