Paul Donoghue

Paul is from Hull and a product of the Hull Schools Music Service, starting on baritone at the age of 12. He played in the services brass, wind and jazz bands and also the orchestra. He was also playing trombone and euphonium. He soon joined the Hessle British Legion Band and it was here he entered the world of brass band contesting. In 1984 he accepted an offer to join Brodsworth Colliery band in Doncaster. They were the closest Championship section band to Hull and Paul describes every rehearsal as being like a master class. Working with conductors like David James, Geoff Whitham and Major Peter Parkes. After 4 years of travelling to Doncaster for rehearsals with local cornet player Dixon Laing, an idea voiced in the car took shape to try and get a good local band in Hull so that there was somewhere for brass students from Hull schools to play after they left school. After discussions with Bob Childs who was living and teaching locally at the time, City of Hull band was born. Paul then had some private lessons with Bob at his house.

 Paul has played with several local bands but starting a new business in 1991 saw Paul take a gap in his playing until 2000 when he resumed having been asked to join East Yorkshire Brass. In 2001 he moved to EYMS band competing at the Royal Albert Hall 4 years consecutively on both baritone and horn before leaving in 2006 when he joined Barton Town Band on Eb Bass,  leading the bass section from 2006-2012. During this time, the band progressed from the 4th section to the Championship, culminating with an appearance at the National finals in 2012. Paul enjoyed working with the charismatic Dick Evans as professional conductor and City of Hull 1st horn player Garry Oglesby as resident conductor. In 2019 Paul was delighted to be asked to return to City of Hull Band on Bb bass and even happier when he was invited to move on to Eb bass on resumption of rehearsals in June 2021. He is looking forward to helping the band progress with its ambitions to compete at the very highest level in banding.