| Biography | Richard Evans (born 1935-died 22 April 2022) was a brass band conductor born into a regimental family with his early playing forged through what was to be a lifelong association with the Leyland Band. In 1952 he became a founding member and later, principal cornet, of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.
After graduating from the Royal Northern College of Music he began work as a freelance player, teacher and conductor. In 1975 he became Musical Director at Wingates Temperance Band which would become
British Open Champion that year.
Following a short spell at Fairey Engineering Band he was recruited to rebuild the Leyland Vehicles Band with the remit of achieving Championship status within three years, and they would win the British Open Championship in 1994.
Evans was knwon as the ultimate brass band entertainer - the 'Dick the Stick' persona honed to perfection for audiences to savour. Evans would win the Brass in Concert title on a record nine occasions, as well as secure a National title in Norway, top-flight Regional Championship victories in the North West, Yorkshire, West of England and Scotland, win the BBC Band of the Year accolade and claim victories at the All England Masters, Grand Shield, Senior Trophy, Pontins and numerous other entertainment events.
His experience helped bands to success at all levels; from Barton Town to Lancashire Constabulary, and from his first win with Coppull Band in the Third Section in 1967 to his last with Dalmellington at the Senior Trophy in 2017.
From 1993 he was the Musical Director of the National Youth Band of Scotland later becoming Conductor Emeritus.
In 1986 he was presented with the Iles Medal and published two volumes of his remarkable career in music, and which candidly revealed a life lived in full. |