Playing Career

Gary Proctor started his brass career at the age of 11, playing Eb Bass with his local Salvation Army band in Stockport, England.  This was under the tutelage of the then Principal Cornet player of Fairey Engineering, Mr Norman Ashcroft. 

Having played with the Salvation Army for a number of years, Gary decided to leave them and join other bands in order to complete in contests.

It was in this area that Gary has excelled and his playing career in England, has included many of the top Bands playing B flat Bass, including, Foden’s, Fairey Engineering, Leyland, Yorkshire Building Society and Grimethorpe Colliery.

Having toured with these bands and playing in some of the most iconic venues in the world (including Sydney Opera House, Australia and Carnegie Hall in New York), Gary moved to Northern Ireland in 2010, to be with his partner (now wife), Catherine.

Having guested with most of the top bands in Northern Ireland (and winning every contest available in Northern Ireland with the various bands), Gary was approached in 2016 to conduct Wellington Memorial Silver Band.

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Conducting Career

Having started to conduct Wellington, this proved to be a very successful partnership.  The greatest achievement with them culminated in winning every contest in the 3rd Section 2016/2017 creating a history making grand slam.

During this period the band were also awarded 3rd Section band of the year, and an achievement that made history for Wellington, Overall BBL Band of the year.

During 2018, Gary was approached by Downshire Brass to conduct them in the Northern of Ireland Band Championships, in which they were crowned Winners in the Championship Section.

In January 2019, Gary left Wellington and was appointed musical director of CWA Brass (after having also played for CWA for the previous couple of years).    With this appointment, Gary is continuing in the same vein by winning Grade 2 at the Valley contest, achieving runner up at the BBL Contest and also runner up in the NIBA contest in the same year.

Due to the pandemic, there was a large gap between contests and unfortunately bands were not allowed to meet because of social distancing. Having finally got back together in the Summer of 2021, CWA were recently crowned 2021 winners of the NIBA second section.

Gary continues to be in demand on the contest and concert stage, both as a conductor and as a player.