The Band’s present conductor, Wesley Thompson, has over 40 years experience as a euphonium player. He is a member of the First Old Boys’ Band and, in addition, plays regularly with Festival Brass. In his teens and early 20’s, he was consistently successful as a soloist in music festivals and solo contests, including winning the Brass Band League solo championships, thus leading to a place in the finals of the British Open Solo Championships. With the First Old Boys’ Band, he has won many championship section prizes, including the best instrumentalist award at the North of Ireland Band Association Championships.

Wesley has been involved in teaching brass instruments for more than 35 years, mostly on a part-time basis. Since retiring from local government in 2010, he has been in much demand as a teacher, and is currently teaching in a variety of primary and grammar schools in greater Belfast and County Down, and in the City of Belfast School of Music.

Wesley is a member of the National Association of Brass Band Conductors. In addition to attending a number of conducting workshops delivered by Peter Bassano, Lt. Col. Chris Davies and Mike Fowles, he has attended a residential course on brass band conducting and creative programming, with Alan Withington and Robin Dewhurst, in the Netherlands.

Since taking up his appointment as conductor of Comber Silver Band in 2010, he has led them to 1st place in both the North of Ireland Bands Association and Brass Band League 3rd section contests.