Humberside Police - protecting communities, targeting criminals

Musical Director Brent Read, G Mus LTCL PGCE

Brent Read began his musical career in Hull, when he started playing the clarinet at age 8. He played in a number of school ensembles, including the school band before he joined the ensembles of the Hull City Music Service at age 13. Brent played with many groups including the City Youth Concert Band and The City of Hull Youth Orchestra. At 17, Brent was invited to join the Humberside Police Band and became a regular member of the clarinet section.

After completing his secondary education, Brent moved on to study for a degree in music at Huddersfield University (then Polytechnic) but continued to travel back to Hull every few weeks to play in the Police Band, a journey with which he is now very familiar! In 1980, the post of Solo Clarinet with the Police Band became available and Brent was asked to take on this important role, a role that he was to keep for 25 years. 

Following his degree course, Brent moved on to Leeds University to train as a secondary school music teacher. On the completion of this training he secured work in the then coalmining district of Darton, in Barnsley. After four years Brent was offered promotion and became Head of Music at Penistone Grammar School, nestling in the foothills of the Pennines. During this time he worked as both a player and conductor with a number of ensembles in South and West Yorkshire and set up home with his wife in Wakefield. However, Brent continued to travel to Hull on a weekly basis, as a player in the Police Band. 

Brent officially took over the post of Musical Director on 3rd April 2005, after a period acting as the Band’s assistant musical director, often deputising at rehearsals and concerts and then 5 months leading the band as temporary MD.  Brent hopes to use his many years varied experience as a band member to build on the band’s former successes and continue to move the band forwards. 

Musical Director Brent Read can be contacted via email.