Chris Holmes studied trumpet and composition at the Royal College of Music. He moved to Salisbury in 1987 to be South Division Head of the Wiltshire Music Service and to set up and run Salisbury Area Young Musicians which has been going strong for 30 years.
Not wanting to hang up his baton on retirement Chris started the Salisbury Concert Band in 2005 and Wednesday evenings have never been the same since.
In 2026 Chris handed the baton on to Dave Andrews for the Concert Band and continues as conductor and Musical Director of Second Wind.
Dave Andrews began playing the cornet at the age of six and was awarded a ‘County Music Exhibition’ for exceptional musical ability at the age of ten. Dave’s career spans a huge wealth of experience as a brass teacher, running various bands, orchestras, jazz and brass ensembles. With his wife Elaine they organise the very successful Music Makers summer holiday courses for young people and is leader of Salisbury Area Young Musician’s ‘Young Jazz’ band. In 2026 Dave took over from Chris Holmes as Conductor and Musical Director of Salisbury Concert Band.
