Iain Rayner

BA(Hons)

Iain was born in Northampton in the East Midlands and brought up in the Salvation Army where he started playing the cornet. He later moved to Bedford and changed instrument to euphonium in the Army band. Here he progressed to play in Bedfordshire County Youth Concert and Brass Bands and also in the Salvation Army’s East Midlands divisional youth band. On gaining his A levels and leaving school he joined the band of Her Majesty's Life Guards in the Household Cavalry. Here he took part in many prestigious events including Trooping the Colour and the Lord Mayor's Show. After leaving the Army Iain joined the Salvation Army’s renowned Kettering Citadel Band where he became Deputy Bandmaster. Iain began writing music for Salvation Army bands and in 1996 enjoyed his first success when one of his arrangements was played at the Royal Albert Hall by the Army's International Staff Band. He later began writing for the wider brass band world and in 2000 won the NABBC composer's competition with his original concert work 'Tsunami'. Iain has since had a number of works published for brass bands and most recently was a prize winner in the final of the 2002 European Young Composer's Competition with his work 'Eclipse'. He recently completed his honours degree in Brass Band Studies at Accrington & Rossendale college studying with Richard Evans, Arthur Butterworth and Darrol Barry. Here he was awarded both the composition and conducting prizes. Iain is now enjoying success writing for some of the top players in the brass band field including David Daws, internationally renowned cornet soloist, Melvyn Bathgate, principal horn of Brighouse & Rastrick band, Donna Lewis, principal horn of the Leyland Band and Gary Fountain, soprano soloist with the Travelsphere Holidays Band. Iain is married, has two girls, and works as a Primary School teacher.