Composer Dr Peter Meechan has been elected to the prestigious American Bandmasters Association (ABA).

It sees the Nuneaton born musician join a select group of British composers such as Philip Sparke, Sir Vivian Dunne and Gustav Holst is being elected to the body which was founded in 1929 under its honorary Life President, John Philip Sousa.

Humbling

Commenting to 4BR Pete said: "It's very humbling to have been elected. There are so many incredible musicians in their membership, and it means a great deal to now be part of an association that continues to reach out to audiences.

I want to thank my dear friend Matt Clark — another Brit in Canada and a former Director of the Royal Canadian Airforce Band for being my principal sponsor, as well as Past-Presidents Terry Austin and Ray Cramer and composer Julie Giroux."

Accolade

It is the latest accolade for the composer who has lived and worked in North American for a number of years. His composition 'Perpetua' won the prestigious Ostwald Composition Competition award in 2021.

First presented in 1956, it is one of the two main composition awards in the field of wind band composition.