Archer Music Press

Gareth was born in Glasgow in 1981.  He began playing Trumpet and Piano at Clydebank High School and went on to study music at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, graduation in 2003 to become a music teacher with a 1st class honours degree and a merit in teaching.  Gareth has directed numerous school ensembles including Wind Bands, Orchestras, Ceilidh Bands, Jazz Bands and Choirs as well as taking on the role of Musical Director for numerous school shows.  He is also an experienced pianist and accompanists and has performed on Soprano Cornet, Bb Cornet and Flugelhorn with numerous brass bands.

Gareth has conducted the Coalburn Silver Band since 2004 and has led the band through one of the most successful periods in their history.  The band has won numerous awards and is well known for their innovative concert and entertainment contest porgrammes.  The band has progressed from the 4th to 1st Section and after their recent win at the 1st Section Scottish Championships, the band will be promoted to the Championship Section for the first time in the band’s history.  The band organisation has developed a progressive structure including a Percussion Academy, Beginner’s Group, Children’s Band, Intermediate Band and Senior Silver Band. 

In 2009, Gareth won the NABBC (Scotland) Conducting Competition held at the RSAMD (now RCS).




Gareth joined the tutor team with the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland (Reserves) in 2013 and continues to enjoy tutoring at the annual summer course.




Gareth has adjudicated at the Aberdeen, Inverness and Glasgow/Edinburgh Scottish Concert Band Festival regional events, National SCBF Finals in Perth, the Borders Brass Band Entertainment contest, Northern Counties Brass Band Association Solo Contest and the Borders Youth Contest.




Gareth worked with The Kirkintilloch Band from April 2019 .to September 2021 as resident conductor.  During  Covid lockdowns, Gareth quickly adapted to provide online rehearsals for a number of bands to keep band members engaged and playing.  He also ran courses to share best practice in how to present online rehearsals which was well received. 

Composition and arranging has always been an area of interest to Gareth and he recently established Archer Music Press to publish his compositions and arrangements.