Oliver Hallstead-Brooks
Education • The Purcell School of Young Musicians (2008-2012); studied tuba with Stephen Wick. • Royal College of Music BMus (Hons), MMus (Dist.) (2012-2019); studied bass and contra-bass tuba with Pete Smith (Philharmonia Orchestra) and Lee Tsarmaklis (London Philharmonic), and conducting with Peter Stark. • Currently studying conducing within Royal Air Force Music Services (RAF Music) with Mark Heron and Melvin Tay, previously Wg Cdr (Retd.) Duncan Stubbs. Undertook a ARSM in Musical Direction Oct 25- May 26.
Teaching • Peripatetic brass teacher with Richmond Music Trust (2013-2017). • Appointed as Head of Brass at the Nucleo Project in 2021 (teacher 2017- present) ‘music for social action’ programme in inner London’ where he leads brass/orchestral rehearsals for children and young adults between the ages of 6-21, as well as setting the curriculum for the Brass Faculty and managing other teachers.
Conducting • MD Chinnor Silver Band Oct 22-Oct 25 in London and Southern Counties Second Section. 2nd in 2023, 4th in 2024 and 2nd in 2025 resulting in two National Finals appearances and promotion to the First Section. • Dep. Conductor Kidlington Concert Brass • Dep Conductor Wantage Concert Brass • Dep. Conductor Staines Brass • Dep. Conductor Enfield Community Orchestra.
Notable positions / performances • Tuba Central Band (Section Ldr) of the Royal Air Force (Nov 2017- May 2026), as of 1 Jun 26 now works with HQ RAF Music as the primary contact for those wishing to pursue a career with the Royal Air Forces Regular and Reserve Bands. • English National Opera’s Evolve Scheme (2015-16). • Performance of Vaughn-Williams Tuba Concerto with the Watford Symphony Orchestra (2018). • Johann Sebastian Bach, Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major - Bourée I and II
Notable Brass band experience as a player • National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. • Zone One Brass Band. • Tredegar Town Band. • Redbridge Brass. • Desford Colliery Band (National Champions 2025).
Awards / Scholarships • Jane Barker Scholar at the Royal College of Music (2012-2019). • Royal College of Music Tuba Prize (2017). • Semi-finalist - Brass Band Conductors Association Conducting Competition (2023)
