Musical Director

Nicola Bell

To say banding is in her blood is an understatement

Nicola started playing cornet at St Oswald’s Primary School in Burneside in 1997 and was part of the junior band. During the early part of 1999 she progressed onto 3rd cornet in Burneside Brass Band attending rehearsals twice a week.

In 2008 Nicola went to York St John University to study Performance Music. Whilst at university she extended her musical reach to play in the big band, orchestra with international soloists and York Railway Institute Brass Band. Graduating in 2011 with a II:I degree in York Minster, after University completed a Secondary PGCE. She somehow still found time to play a variety of cornet parts including soprano at a selection of concerts and registered contests for Burneside Brass.

In February 2012, Nicola's conducting teeth were cut restarted Burneside Brass Training Band which she led until summer 2013, teaching new and lapsed players the ensemble skills needed for playing in a band. Meanwhile, she competed in the national brass finals in Cheltenham with Burneside Brass in 2013, before joining Pilling Band. Nicola was invited to conduct Lancaster City Brass in September 2015 and has guided the band to full strength by improving our repertoire, musicality and standard through several concerts and contests.  

Now a qualified secondary school teacher with a music specialism, working in local secondary schools teaching classroom music and 1:1 peripatetic brass and vocal lessons. Nicola combines conducting with deputising in brass bands, and sings regularly with Levens Choir, completing several concerts and tours. 

Lancaster City Brass chair says.. 

"Nicola is a creative, passionate conductor who is hungry for success in competition and aims to deliver entertaining concerts to new audiences.  With a particular enjoyment of show tunes and musicals, our sets have become more appealing to the delight of many an audience.   We are very proud to have her direction and passion fully utilised with Lancaster City Brass."