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.”