BIOGRAPHY
Ben Thomas is a versatile musician with a passion for sharing his music. His musical journey might have started in Wrexham, North Wales, but it has taken him across the country - performing with numerous ensembles and as a soloist, at some of the best venues across the UK.
Hailing from Wrexham, North Wales, Ben began learning the clarinet aged 9 under the local peripatetic music service. At the age of 11 Ben started to have trumpet lessons after being introduced to the trumpet from a young age by his Taid, who was a trumpet player himself. Shortly afterwards, he began his journey with both orchestral and brass band performance, progressing through the various youth ensembles, including the North Wales Youth Orchestra, for which he was principal trumpet in 2019. During that same year he gained a place in the National Youth Brass Band of Wales for the first time.
Ben started his competitive brass band journey when he joined Porthywaen Silver Band in 2016, before later joining Ifton Colliery Band (now City of City of Wrexham Brass Band) in early 2019. In 2018, Ben made his debut with the Wrexham Symphony Orchestra, and has been involved with the orchestra ever since.
Ben began studying at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2019, studying trumpet performance under the tutelage of Ross Brown and also studying cornet with Tom Hutchinson in his final year. During his time in Cardiff, Ben was involved in several ensembles, including Markham and District Brass Band, the Cardiff Chamber Orchestra, where he was principal trumpet, and he also had a successful 4 years with the City of Cardiff Melingriffith (M1) brass band, with whom he competed at the National Brass Band Championship finals at the Royal Albert Hall.
It was during his time at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama that Ben found his passion for composing and arranging, which he studied in his final two years under the tutelage of Lynne Plowman. His pieces have been performed across the world, and some have even been performed by some of the greatest brass players in the UK!
Upon graduating from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2023, Ben moved back home to North Wales. Since moving back, Ben has re-joined the trumpet section of the Wrexham Symphony Orchestra, and also joined Northop Silver Band. He also regularly plays for a variety of other ensembles as a freelance musician, including funk bands, indie bands, jazz bands, oompah bands, orchestras, and soul bands!
​
2025 provided Ben with his first opportunity to become Musical Director, starting as Musical Director of Northop Community/Brass Bands. Through also being a player for Northop Silver Band, Ben had a pre-existing relationship with the organisation, making him no stranger to their ensembles.