Sir William (Bill) Hughes is the Director of Music for the Burlington Teen Tour Band.principal flute and piccolo player with the band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines for nine years, during which time he performed solos for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and other heads of state at many official functions.

 

He performed as a freelance flautist throughout Britain and Europe and with many of the top orchestras in London (B.B.C., London Symphony) as well as doing recordings for television and radio. He has performed for H.M. Queen Elizabeth II, Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Michael of Kent, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Princess Margaret, King of Norway, President Reagan and other Heads of State.

 

In 1982 he became Captain and Principal Director of Music for the 48th Highlanders of Canada, and in 1998 Sir William became the Director of Music for the Burlington Teen Tour Band – Canada’s largest and most award winning Youth Band.

 

A frequent adjudicator and clinician Bill has judged throughout North America and at the World Championships for Marching Bands (Calgary, Germany , Japan ). Bill has been Chair of Public Affairs Committee and a member of the Board of Directors for the Ontario Arts Council, Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and the Music Advisory Committee for Mohawk College. Sir William is currently President of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Association for Ontario and Quebec. 

 

 PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS:                                                    MUSICAL DIRECTOR:

Royal Albert Hall                                                                           Canadian Parade of Champions

Covent Garden                                                                              Collingwood International Celtic Festival

Westminster Abbey                                                                       Niagara Falls Police Tattoo

White House                                                                                 Royal Salute for H.M. Queen Elizabeth II

Capitol Buildings                                                                            Kingston Military Tattoo

Buckingham Palace                                                                       Canadian National Exhibition

 

ADJUDICATION

  • Rotary Festivals (Woodwinds, Brass, Concert Band)
  • Kiwanis Music Festivals (Woodwinds, Brass, All Bands)
  • North American Music Festivals (Orchestra, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Marching Bands)
  • World Marching Band Championships

 

"We learned to play a new piece and he conducted the Blasorchester. Then, in the next piece,  he showed his perfection with the flute'.

 

 

ARTS & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

2010 -                              Board member, Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra

2010 -                              Music Advisory Committee, Mohawk College

2005 – 10                         Chair Public Affairs, Ontario Arts Council

2006 - 12                          Board of Directors, Ontario Arts Council

1986 - 89                          Chair, Variety Club Special Events

1996 - 2003                       Director, Ontario Sports Hall of Fame

AWARDS & HONOURS:

2000                                Civic Recognition Award, City of Burlington

1997                                Chevalier de la Jarretiere de Lorraine

1988                                Variety Club Award

1984                                Award of Excellence from Premier of Ontario

1972                                Boosey & Hawkes Flute Player of the Year

 

PROFESSIONAL STUDIES:

1970-73                            Harry Eden & Geoffrey Gilbert