Director of Music

History of the Police Band Directors

Directors of Music

 Clive Mason  Director of Music for Teesside Police Band (1970 to 1971) Clive Mason         
 Stan Peacock  Director of Music for Teesside Police Band (1971 to 1972) Mr Stan Peacock
 No photo of officer  Director of Music for Cleveland Police Band (1972 to 1981) Mr Ted Boynton
 Derek Harris  Director of Music for Cleveland Police Band (1981 to 1981) Mr Derek Harris
 Ken Robinson  Director of Music for Cleveland Police Band (1981 to 1994) Mr Ken Robinson
 Vince Eckermann  Director of Music for Cleveland Police Band (1994 to 2000) Mr Vince Eckermann
 Cecil Peacock  Director of Music for Cleveland Police Band (2000 to 2005) Mr Cecil Peacock

Cecil has been playing music for sixty years, commencing with Easington Colliery band at the age of eight. He progressed to Solo Euphonium player and then went on to conduct for Crookhall, Broughton’s as well as Easington before leading the Cleveland Police band in 1997.

Originally involved in the engineering industry, in particular with the National Coal Board, Cecil entered Durham University to qualify as a teacher of music in 1971.
His teaching career developed throughout the northeast with responsibility as head of Music at Shotton Comprehensive, Peterlee (1973 -1980) Head of brass Durham County Instrumental Services (1980-1984) Then to Peterlee College as head of the music department. He retains an interest with the college and is now also involved with Shotton Hall School Special Arts College as part time Teacher of Brass.

During his career as well as obtaining a first class with distinction as a music teacher, Cecil has also obtained:

  • A diploma in Educational management (Sunderland 1978)
  • Grade 8 in Brass: Associated board of music.
  • Grade 8 Pianoforte: Associated board of music.
  • Grade 8 Musical theory: Associated board of music.
  • Honours diploma London College of music.

Cecil has many musical connections with the north east in particular he has served as National Youth Band Tutor, Course tutor for Brass Band trust courses at Durham University and is a member of the National Panel of Brass Band Adjudicators.

His interests have also led him into broadcasting and he presented “polished Brass” for BBC Radio Newcastle and he has prepared and recorded a number of television broadcasts for BBC and Tyne Tees Television. This area inevitably involved him in the preparation and recording of several CDs and LP’s

 Nigel Wistow  Director of Music for Cleveland Police Band (2005 to present) Mr Nigel Wistow

After taking up cornet at secondary school I became a member of a Colliery band in South Yorkshire at the age of 13.   In 1977 three years later I joined the Army as a musician playing cornet and trumpet and, after two years Junior Service, studied at Royal Military School of Music College at Kneller Hall in London.

I joined the Staffordshire Regiment in Londonderry Christmas 1980 and served with the Regiment until 1993.  My postings included Gibraltar, UK including three tours of Northern Ireland, and six years in Germany.  With the band I performed at engagements through out length and breadth of Europe and a five week visit to Washington State in America.  As Musicians our war time role was that of Medics and during the first Gulf Conflict in 1990 I served as a front line Combat Medic seeing action in Iraq and Kuwait.

I claimed through out my Army career, as a Yorkshire man serving with the Stafford's I was carrying out missionary work.
I moved to the North East in 1998 and a year later joined the Police Band as a cornet player.  I first conducted the band in 1999 throughout their twin town visit to Oberhausen becoming Director of Music in Sept 2005.

Assistant Director of Music

 Mel McTominey  Assistant Director of Music, Mel McTominey 

Musical History and Career

  • 1999 Assistant Director of Music with the Cleveland Police Band
  • 1983-1996 (Northern) Signal Regiment (Volunteers) Band
  • 1979-1983 1st Battalion the Kings Regiment Band
  • 1961-1979 1st Battalion the Green Howards Band
  • 1956-1961 the Green Howard’s Territorial Army Band

Mel first began his musical career whilst still at school. At the age of 15 he joined the Green Howard’s Territorial Army Band, which led on to the 1st Battalion the Green Howard’s Band, where he enjoyed 18 years service before finishing his regular army career with 1st Battalion the Kings Regiment Band at the rank of Staff Sergeant.

After returning to civilian life he promptly joined 34(Northern) Signal Regiment (Volunteers) Band where he served a further 13 years and retiring in 1996 as Band Sergeant Major.

He is currently undertaking his second period of service with the Cleveland Police Band, the first being whilst still a member of the 34(Northern) signal Regiment (Volunteers) Band and then rejoining again in 1999 until the present day where he serves as Assistant Director of Music.

Throughout his career he has been honoured and privileged to serve in many countries including Libya, Canada, Northern Ireland and Germany for both Royalty and heads of State. One of the most memorable occasions was when King Olaf V of Norway presented him with a cornet whilst serving with the Green Howard’s.

As well as serving with the Cleveland Police Band, he is part time caretaker at the Kings Academy in Middlesbrough, and contributes to the musical department there, helping them with productions such as their recent presentation of Oliver.

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