Michael J Bennett

Michael J Bennett was born and educated in Aberdeen. After leaving school he went to the RNCM in Manchester where he studied with Cecil Kidd. In his third year he was appointed trumpet teacher and brass ensemble tutor at the college’s Junior School by the then Head of Brass Philip Jones. He was also appointed brass teacher and orchestral conductor at Notre Dame Girl’s School in Salford. In his final year at the RNCM he was awarded a scholarship to study with the legendry trumpeter Alan Stringer and that same year started composition lessons.

Michael also taught at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School and Westholme Girl’s School in Blackburn. The same year he formed the Pezel Brass Ensemble of Manchester and was also appointed musical director of the Lymm Concert Band.

Michael then joined the BBC Northern Ireland Orchestra in 1976, appearing on various radio and television programmes. While in Belfast, he taught at the Belfast Music School & at the Cabin Hill Prep School. During this period, he was appointed conductor of the 55th Old Boys Brass Band, one of Ulsters’ champion section bands.

In 1981 Michael returned to Scotland and from his base in Glasgow he has performed, toured and recorded with all of Scotland’s major orchestras and has also worked with orchestras from England, Ireland, Europe and the USA. In 1995 Michael graduated with a BSc from the Open University and formed the Mike Bennett Brass Ensemble. Since their inception they have performed on BBC Radio Scotland, at music clubs, schools, universities and at various festivals.

Michael’s composition for solo trumpet “Soliloquy for Piper Alpha” was premiered on the tenth anniversary of the tragedy and has since been performed at the brass section of the BBC Young Musician competition as well as performances in Europe the USA and Japan.