About

Composer - Achievements, Education and Experience

Since winning BBC Young Composer (senior category) in 2013, Huddersfield born Thomas Brown's compositions have been performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Nieuw Ensemble, Aurora Orchestra, Red Note Ensemble, European Youth Brass Band, and Neon - Koor voor Niewste Muziek. Furthermore, they have been heard at the BBC Proms, Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ (Amsterdam), Korzo (The Hague), Perth Concert Hall, European Festival of Brass/ European Brass Band Championships, Amsterdam's Orgelpark, and Borough New Music, as well as on BBC Radio 3 and NPO Radio 4. In 2016, musicians joined together to perform in a concert containing a selection of his chamber music and in 2017, his "Fanfare and Theme" formed part of the medals ceremonies of the Total BWF Badminton World Championships and Scottish Open Badminton Grand Prix, the former tournament broadcast to over 600 million people worldwide.

Generously supported by Moose International, in 2019 Thomas obtained a Master of Music (Composition) degree from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, where he studied with Richard Ayres and Willem Jeths, following completion of undergraduate studies in composition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2017. Prior to this, he was a student at Chetham’s School of Music (2011 - 2013), at which time he won the Douglas Steele Award and Holme Valley Parish Council Exceptional Achievers Award, in addition to the BBC competition.

What Does Thomas' Music Sound Like?

Most of Thomas' work is contemporary classical acoustic concert music, his current compositional interests including new ways of using tonality, harmony – including jazz-inspired harmony and bright colours – and widening ideas of accessibility for audiences and performers. Feedback from music professionals is that it is 'energised', 'explosive', 'wild', 'volatile', 'virtuosic', and 'gripping' yet also 'heart-breaking and gentle', 'a combination of the classical tradition and contemporary techniques' that 'isn’t too academic and modernistic', but is 'accessible' and 'able to hold the attention of the non-specialist'. One of his idols is the Austrian composer HK Gruber, whose music was the subject of his master's research. He's also enjoyed writing music for events and big band, and has an interest in music for screen.

Arranger, Orchestrator and Editor

Thomas has arranged and orchestrated music from the baroque era to the present day, including jazz and popular works, for brass band and various other ensembles. At the age of 16, he arranged music for Britain's Got Talent winner Paul Potts when he performed with the championship section Skelmanthorpe Brass Band at Huddersfield Town Hall. Thomas is also available for music preparation and transposition tasks.

Conductor

For 16 years, Thomas has enjoyed conducting professional, student, amateur, and youth orchestras, brass bands (up to championship section) and various other ensembles. He currently directs the West Midlands based chamber wind ensemble he founded, and was the musical director of the City of Wolverhampton and University of Glasgow brass bands between 2022 and 2024, and 2013 and 2014 respectively. Other brass bands he's conducted rehearsals, recordings and performances with are Amsterdam, Kirkintilloch, Sovereign, Enderby, Bedworth, Shirley, Oddfellows, City of Birmingham, Hade Edge, Langley, Johnstone, Dunaskin Doon, Wellington (Telford), Backum, Trentham, Newmains and District, Tewkesbury Town, Shipston Town, Kilmarnock Concert, Royal Spa, West Midlands Police, Black Country, Chetham's, and Kirkintilloch Youth. He's also conducted the Amsterdams Studenten Orkest, Almeers Orkest, South Birmingham Sinfonia, People's Orchestra, Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra, Chetham’s Symphony Orchestra, Kirklees Youth Symphony Orchestra, Royal Orchestra Association Thomas a Kempis Harmony Orchestra in Zwolle, Band of the West Midlands Fire Service, Bournville Clarinet Choir, Enigma Brass Ensemble, and Chetham's Big Band, in addition to numerous scratch student and professional ensembles and choirs. Thomas' baton technique has developed both through experience and tuition; he attended conducting classes with Lucas Vis and Karel Deseure at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, as well as with Jeremy Pike at Chetham’s. Furthermore, in 2016 he attended the MusicFest Aberystwyth Advanced Orchestral Conducting Course, where he was tutored by Toby Purser and given the opportunity to conduct the Orion Orchestra.

Teacher, Instrumentalist and Event Organiser

He grew up playing cornet, trumpet and flugelhorn in brass bands, big bands, orchestras, and other ensembles. He also plays piano and has appeared as a percussionist at events such as the British and Scottish Open Brass Band Championships. He currently teaches piano, composition and music theory part time for Services for Education in Birmingham and has also given guidance in arranging and trumpet. Furthermore, mentoring was part of his previous role as a BBC Proms Inspire Ambassador. He's also enjoyed recruiting musicians for and organising performances and other events; in 2017, he organised a composers’ orchestral workshop at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and in 2025, he organised monthly rehearsal evenings for post-grade 8 musicians, before forming a chamber wind ensemble.