Essex Concert Band - Geoffrey Harniess

Geoffrey Harniess was born in Lincolnshire and took up the cornet in the local brass band. He studied trumpet and piano at the Colchester Institute School of Music, going on to postgraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music and the National Centre for Orchestral Studies.

Geoffrey is a member of the Amsterdam based Orchestra of the 18th Century and has also played with many other leading orchestras and ensembles, including the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, BBC Symphony and Concert Orchestras, Welsh National Opera Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble. He has also worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal National Theatre and in London's West End.

He co founded the Farnaby Brass Ensemble which has broadcast on BBC Radio and on commercial television. He is the Musical Director of the Essex Concert Band and the London Youth Wind Band.

Geoffrey is an examiner for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and worked as Course Leader on the CT ABRSM course.

Geoffrey now holds a dual role as Head of Brass and Curriculum Manager at London's Centre for Young Musicians. He lives in Fingringhoe, Essex with his wife and daughter.