Originally from Reading, Berkshire, Sam grew up in Tavistock, Devon. His formative years were spent with the local town band, Stannary Brass Band, Bodmin Town Youth Band, City of Plymouth Wind Band and The Royal Naval Volunteer Band (Devonport).

 

Following a move to Barnsley in September 2000, Sam studied music performance with Roger Webster and David Hirst. Having joined Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band that autumn, Sam went on to play Cornet and Flugel Horn with Brighouse and Rastrick Band and Grimethorpe Colliery Band for a number of years, returning to CMFCB in 2009 where he remained until November 2018.

 

Currently working as a professional musician, musical director and adjudicator, Sam's passion for brass banding continues to be the focus of much of his free time; however, more recently Sam has focused on developing a more varied professional network, allowing for opportunities to perform with a wider variety of ensembles and running a successful function band, Backstage Brass. Sam is also an Eclipse performance artist, using their instruments for his commercial work as a Flugelhorn and Trumpet player.

 

​Sam took up conducting in 2014, with the non-contesting West Yorkshire Police Band, going on to achieve success with Old Silkstone Band, including two 2nd places at the Yorkshire Regionals in the 2nd section and appearances at the National Finals, as well as promotion to the 1st section. This led to further success at Chapeltown Silver Band, with wins at Bolsover Festival of Brass and the NEMBBA contest, as well as a 2nd place at the National Finals in Section 2.

 

​He took up his current role as MD of Stannington Brass Band in February 2022, quickly establishing himself and the band's reputation for quality concerts and contest success, with an immediate win at the Yorkshire Regionals 1st section contest in Huddersfield and later that year, 1st Section National Champions of Great Britain. Further successes have followed, with promotion to the championship section, 2022 Bolsover Festival of Brass 1st section champions, promotion to the British Open Spring Festival Senior Cup, a highly respected 8th place at the 2023 Yorkshire Regionals, and 2023 Bolsover championship section champions.