Mike Kilroy

Mike Kilroy as a musician

Mike Kilroy started his musical career when he began playing the tenor Horn with the
Delph Band aged 8. Progressing to solo euphonium five years later. Aged fifteen, on
the recommendation of Geoff Whitham, he joined the legendary CWS Manchester
Band. Led by the great conductor and teacher Alex Mortimer. During his long-playing
career, he has been principal euphonium of: Yorkshire Imperial Metals, Leyland DAF,
Fairey Band, Grimethorpe Colliery, Brighouse and Rastrick, Desford Colliery and
YBS.

He has appeared with many of the country’s top bands. And has featured as a soloist
at gala concerts and festivals across the world. Mike has won many accolades
throughout his playing career. A highlight being awarded the “Outstanding
Instrumentalist” at the 1999 New Zealand National Brass Band Festival. The first
person outside of the Southern Hemisphere to do so. Mike has also recorded three
solo albums with his lifelong friend and duet partner. New Zealand’s most decorated
brass player, Riki McDonnell, who sadly passed away in 2018. Over the past twenty-
five years or so he has adjudicated numerous competitions in Europe and the UK.
Mike is the current Chairman of Brass Bands England. He is dedicated and
determined to ensure that the organisation is, and remains, focussed on providing
the best possible support to every brass band in this country and beyond. He is
extremely proud of the organisation’s progress. And aspires to continue to make a
positive contribution to the Brass Band Community. Which has played such an
important part in his life.

Commercial life

In his commercial life, Mike is Managing Director of a specialist lighting
manufacturing and distribution business that exports products to customers in over
sixty countries across the world.

Mike is jurylid bij de DOBC op 14 juni en gastsolist tijdens de Ommelandconcerten op 15 juni.