Kenneth
Downie
Kenneth
Downie was born in Glasgow in 1946 and educated at
Greenock High School, the Royal Manchester College of
Music, and Durham University. He became a music
teacher, finally leaving his position as head of music
at Poole Grammar School to enter the jewellery
business in 1976.
His published compositions, now numbering over 70, many of
which have been recorded and broadcast on national radio,
span a period of over 30 years and are mainly for brass
band or choir. Recent commissions include music for the
Hampshire County Youth Band, City of Winchester Brass, the
Swiss and Norwegian National Brass Band Championships, and
the European Brass Band Championships in 2004.
In April 1998 he was appointed to the post of Composer in
Residence to the Yorkshire Building Society Band, and thus
began a fruitful relationship involving concerts,
broadcasts, and recordings.
Kenneth lives in Winchester with his wife Patricia, who is
also a musician, teaching piano and singing, and they are
both active lay-Salvationists with special responsibilies
for music.
In November 1999 his contribution to Salvation Army Music
was recognized by the New York Staff Band when he was
invited to be the guest at their annual Profile Night.
In July 2001 Kenneth was appointed Creative Consultant to
the Salvation Army’s Music Ministries department in the
United Kingdom, writing for Salvation Army publications and
mentoring developing composers.
For more information see
www.kantaramusik.com