Walter Ritchie BEM
National Chairman
Walter became interested in music
during his time at Shawland Academy in Glasgow, where he played trumpet in the
school orchestra. He
later joined the Govan Borough Band under their conductor Gregor Grant. On being
called up for National Service he joined the RAF, and later on became a regular
player with the Voluntary Bands of the Royal Air Force until 1979. He was
awarded the BEM in the 1978 Honours List.
His conducting started whilst still serving with the Royal Air Force with Newark Town Band in Nottinghamshire. During his stay with the band he took them to a number of successful National Finals. He then returned to playing with the Ransome and Marles Works Band where he was later appointed resident conductor.
In 1986 Walter joined the Foss Dyke band as their musical director and together they progressed from the forth section to the championship section, including the newly formed first section, over a seven year period. He stayed with Foss Dyke band until 2005. Walter currently conducts Carlton Silver based at Nottingham and has just secured promotion to the first section from 2008.
As the Chairman of the National Association of Brass Band Conductors and President of the Midlands Area, he is committed to furthering the status of, and enhancing the opportunities available to, all conductors of brass bands.