The Academy band is the second stage in our organisation. In the Academy band you will take everything you’ve learnt in the Debut Band and use them to improve your playing skills and musical ability. The main aim in the Academy band is to prepare the youngsters for the Youth Band. Players in the Academy Band have typically been playing for a couple of years, approximately grade 1-4 standard.  

The Lions Academy Band were crowned National Champions in the Elementary section at the National Youth Brass Band Championships 2022!

Peter McDonough

Peter was appointed as Musical Director in September 2022. He is one of the leading Euphonium players in the country, previously holding Principal Euphonium positions with the National Youth Brass Band and National Wind Orchestra of Wales, as well as the European Youth Brass Band. 

He was also a finalist in the 2018 EBBA European Solo competition and 2019 BrassPass.tv Young Brass Award event. Since graduating from the Royal Northern College of Music he has held the principal Euphonium seat with the famous KNDS Fairey Band and works full time as a brass teacher.