Matthew Ryan
Introducing Matthew Ryan
Bolton native, Matthew Ryan grew up playing with Smithills School Senior Brass Band, as they won multiple national and international titles from 2001-2008. As part of the band’s high profile tours, he played as a principal member across the world; including, as a soloist, on tours of the USA and as principal in the band’s WMC title in 2005. He has also been a playing member of numerous trophy winning bands including Hoover (Bolton), Flixton, Frickley South Elmsall, Wingates and Hammonds.
Whilst at university, Matthew was a driving force behind the Merge Arts Festival Orchestra formed in 2012 to perform in Hull as part of the cultural olympiad. In a short career so far, he has completed engagements with multiple orchestras including performing at the Royal Albert Hall with Berkshire Young Musicians Trust. In brass banding, Matthew has directed trophy and contest winning performances across his career at bands including Eagley, Horwich RMI, Flixton and City of Bradford.
In 2022 Matthew directed Flixton Band to a gold medal performance at the World Music Contest, Kerkrade. This year he also joined the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators.
In June 2023, Matthew was delighted to win the Brass Band Conductors Association’s Conducting Competition. The prize was secured by leading rehearsals on test piece repertoire and concert performances with Hammonds and Eccles Bands. Matthew was delighted to be 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.
“I’m delighted to be approached and accept this position with a band that has such a progressive attitude and commitment to musical excellency. As a ‘local lad’, I needed no introduction to the wonderful cultural asset that is Wingates Band, having grown up with the band always lighting the musical way in Bolton. When the opportunity arose this week to be a part of leading that, I didn’t need to think about it! I can’t wait to bring my knowledge of the town’s musical scene and organisations to create new chapters in the story of Wingates; but also to begin sharing the talent and enthusiasm of the band to a wider audience again. The history of Wingates Band is huge, successful and exciting- I now look foward to getting to work continuing the work began so positively by Andrea Price to build a future Wingates Band that would make every one of it’s historical predecessors proud of the continuing quality and innovation found at Wingates Square.”
Captain Andrew Porter – bandmaster of the Grenadier Guards band
Musical Consultant – Wingates Band
Captain Porter is currently Director of Music of the world-famous Band of the Grenadier Guards and is at the spear end of Army Music and State Ceremonial delivery. In his Military career, Andrew has worked with British Army Band Tidworth, The Irish Guards and the Household Division Bands Headquarters, as well as serving in a 9-month active military deployment to Afghanistan. Andrew has also designed shows and partnerships for the FA
Cup Final, BBC and DJ Jeremiah Asiamah, British Grand Prix and the National Youth Brass Band.
As a Euphonium player and Conductor, Andrew has played and worked with many of Britain’s leading Brass Bands, including Leyland and YBS (winning the European Brass Band Championships in 2002), Flowers, KNDS Fairey Band, Tredegar, Sandhurst Silver,
Friary, and Morecambe Band.
Andrew started working with the band and MD Matt Ryan in early 2025, and his knowledge and experience has been an exceptional asset to the Band.
Matt Ryan has welcomed Andrew, stating:
“I’m pleased to welcome a musician such as Andrew in to the Wingates fold, over the last 12 months we have welcomed lots of new faces in the band and to be able to share the journey of moulding the band and growing to it’s potential with such an experienced, proven and capable musician and band trainer is exciting. His CV speaks for itself, and I’m delighted he’s accepted a role which will enable the organisation to widen and deepens its artistic intent beyond merely being a contesting brass band.”
Andrew stated:
“I was delighted when Matt and the Band Management team asked me to take a role within the organisation, the invitation came at the perfect moment. Wingates is a band steeped in history of which I am proud to be associated with. My musical journey in England actually commenced with Wingates and Michael Fowles, to whom I owe a lot, especially in regards to discipline and commitment and how I prepare bands and analyse rehearsals and
performance. The opportunity to work alongside Matt Ryan and helping him achieve his goals and the bands aspirations excites me. Matt is a visionary, keen to develop his team and self. Both he and the band have a refreshing outlook in their activities, they are hungry to develop, forward thinking and not afraid to try out new ideas. Above all else they are really nice people, that have made me feel so welcome since my initial introduction in April this year. The partnership allows me to support them whilst also being totally effective in my
professional role. I am excited to see where our collaborative journey will take us.”