Laurier Brass Ensemble: Biographies

March 5, 2026

Jonathan Bates

Jonathan Bates is a composer and arranger hailing from Huddersfield, WestYorkshire. He first took an interest in composition in 2009 whilst studying music at secondary school, and soon found himself dedicating alot of time to writing tenor horn duets for himself and his teacher at the time, Mark Bentham. This keen interest then accelerated when he produced his first substantial work for brass band - Within the Paths of Righteousness (2011) - as part ofhis school studies into serialism. At the time of writing, Jonathan was a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain under artistic director Bramwell Tovey. It was on the Easter course of 2011 where Maestro Tovey gave Jonathan’s music it’s first public platform, with the NYBBGB performing this work in full alongside compositions by Arthur Butterworth and Ray Steadman-Allen. He has since composed many other works for instrumental groups (brass band, wind orchestra, etc.).

Peter Graham

Peter Graham is a prominent Scottish composer and academic in the British brass band tradition. He worked for a while in New York as a freelance composer and arranger. Since returning to the UK in the late 1980s he has worked often as an arranger for the BBC, mainly in brass band music, and his works have been commissioned around the world. His works have been used as test pieces for brass band national championships in Australia, New Zealand, North America, and Europe.

Yolanda Lichty

Yolanda Lichty is currently completing a Bachelor's of Music Composition at Wilfrid Laurier University, where she has had opportunities to write for the Laurier Singers, Concert Choir, and Brass Ensemble. Her music has been sung by Heart Cry Ensemble, Cantate Domino Ensemble, and Women Sing as well as in schools, churches, and music camps in several countries, including Canada, the US, and England. Her works range from hymns, sacred choral, and art song to string quartet and instrumental chamber music. Yolanda loves exploring the intersection of song and story, not only telling stories through music but also receiving the stories of her listeners. She seeks to glorify God and love people through her music.

Paul Lovatt-Cooper

Paul Lovatt-Cooper is an English percussionist and composer. He is currently the director of music at Factory Transmedia and is the managing director of his music company PLC Music. Lovatt-Cooper is also 'composer in association' with the Black Dyke Band, a prominent brass band in British brass band tradition.

Christpher Phillis

Christopher Phillis is a 4th year euphonium major at WLU pursuing studies in composition and performance. He grew up in the country just outside of Stratford, and always had a love for music—from playing the piano by ear with his two pointer fingers as a kid, to composing his first tracks on Bandlab in the 9th grade. Coming into his undergraduate studies, he had wanted to play piano, but was ultimately drawn to the euphonium (perhaps in a tragic twist of fate, or a lovely spot of passion, depending on who you ask), and he’s grown to love all practices of music during my time here. Outside school, Chris is a lover of all things video games—both playing them and creating them! Chris is excited as always to be a part of the LBE, and hopes to see you around!

Philip Sparke

Philip Sparke is an English trumpeter, pianist, conductor, and composer. He formed his own brass band in university among the students (much like Laurier Brass Ensemble) and began writing works for them. Since then he has become a prominent brass band composer with many of his works being commissioned by brass bands around the world, including England and Japan. Although he enjoyed conducting and adjudicating he wanted to become a full-time
composer and founded his own publishing company for his instrumental publications.