Comber Silver Band

Conductor Geoffrey Clarke

Geoff Clarke was born in 1965, the son of a well known and respected Belfast Salvation Army bandsman John Clarke.

He started to play the cornet with the Bangor Salvation Army Band at the age of 7. He then went through the South Eastern Education and Library Board system studying both theory and practical. During this time he played in both Brass and Concert bands.

By the age of 16 he had moved to the Belfast Temple Salvation Army band under the direction of David Catherwood and held the position of Solo Cornet. David Catherwood was succeeded by Jack Burch and Geoff to this day keeps this link with Jack occasionally not only keeping Comber band on their toes, but Geoff also in his capacity as one of our associate conductors..

For over 5 years Geoff held the position of Young Peoples Band Leader and Deputy Bandmaster in the Salvation Army Youth Band. During this time he enjoyed travelling to venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and the Glasgow Concert Hall.

For over eighteen years Geoff played both trumpet and cornet in a concert band environment
As some would say at a semi-professional level, although he will be quick to dispel this as a tall tale.

Latterly Geoff has been able to go back to his first love of Conducting with Comber Silver Band.

Despite many years of Concert Band playing Geoff's love for the repertoire of Salvation Army music has not diminished.

Geoff's ambitions whilst with Comber are not only to see the band progress in terms of playing but also to ensure that all members enjoy rehearsals, concerts and contests.

More recently the band has grown and developed under Geoff's leadership and we are starting to enjoy more recent success in contesting. The band has gained first place in the last two third section entertainment contests and were winners of the Brass Band League spring festival 2006. The most recent contest being the NIBA in the Ulster hall where the band managed a third place in the third grade brass section, loosing out narrowly to the winners Roughan Silver and second place Newtownards Silver.