Like many other brass players Melvin received his first lessons at the Salvation Army, joining the Junior Band at Chalk Farm (London) at age nine. He received a scholarship to study Trombone and Piano at the Junior Department of the Royal College of Music and later went on to Graduate from the London College of Music.

His initial conducting experiences were with choral groups and orchestras but a period as Assistant Conductor with the Hendon Band heightened his enthusiasm for Brass Bands. He achieved National success with Tilbury, Newham and John Laing Hendon Bands, conducting in prestigious venues such as the Royal Festival Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Royal Albert Hall and taking part in recordings for both television and radio.

As conducting and adjudicating engagements grow Melvin’s teaching responsibilities have decreased. Over the last few years he has worked with fine Welsh bands such as B.T.M. and Cory, being placed in the European Championships, winning the National Eisteddfod, Pontins Championships, and conducting in St David’s Hall, Cardiff and the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea.

Melvin White’s record over 30 years in the London area is unparalleled and this has led to invitations to work with bands in the Midlands, the West of England, Wales and Norway. He is particularly proud of successes with Newham, BTM and GUS.

He has won 12 titles at the Regional Championships of the National Finals, which have earned him the position of seventh on the all-time list of the most successful conductors at this event. He has also qualified bands for National Final at the Royal Albert Hall on 24 occasions and appeared regularly at Lower section Finals.

Based in Dartford, Kent, Melvin White combines his conducting and adjudicating with work as a teacher in local schools.

Staines Brass is extremely delighted that Melvin has agreed work with the band giving us a huge boost in the rebuilding process.