The Maestros

The Conductors of BSWE

Rob Wiffin

Rob Wiffin began his musical career playing trombone, he was a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain before entering the Royal College of Music. On completion of his studies he joined the RAF Music Services and became principal trombone of RAF Central Band. After seven years as a player he decided to concentrate his energies on conducting, and was commissioned as a Director of Music for the RAF. In 1998 he was appointed Principal Director of Music for the Royal Air Force, and in 2002 he was awarded the OBE for services to Royal Air Force music.

Away from the RAF, Rob Wiffin has built a reputation by conducting orchestras, wind ensembles, and many of the country's finest brass bands. He has now left the RAF, and in June 2007 he was appointed Professor of Conducting at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall.

Rob has also established himself as a leading composer and arranger of music for wind ensemble. BSWE has been privileged to benefit from many of Rob's works prior to their publication.

Duncan Stubbs

As a resident conductor of BSWE, Duncan Stubbshas conducted the ensemble on all of their foreign tours since 1997. He began his musical career as a bassoonist, studying at York University and he joined the Royal Air Force in 1983. His interest in conducting led to work with several community bands in the South East as well as his home town of Stoke-on-Trent.

Duncan has served as a Director of Music of the Western Band of the RAF and in October 2002 was appointed Director of Music of the Central Band of the RAF. Currently the Director of Music of the Headquarters RAF Music Services he now has a responsibility, amongst others, for training and recruitment.

A keen composer and arranger, he has many works in print and continues to broaden his conducting interests with both Service and Civilian Ensembles. He occasionally still plays the bassoon, preferably when no-one else is listening! When not performing music or being a doting father, he can often be found giving his ears a rest on top of a mountain in the Lake District.