Howard’s musical career began as a cornet player in the Salvation Army in the South West of England.

In 1993 he swapped the cornet for a baton and was appointed the Musical Director of Championship section Bodmin Town Band subsequently leading them to three successive South-West and Cornish Championships.

In 1997 Howard left the UK to become Musical Director of Waitakere Band in Auckland, New Zealand. That year they won two of the three sections at the National Contest and in 1999 were crowned New Zealand National Champion Band winning every stage event, also winning three consecutive New Zealand Entertainment “Band of the Year” titles.

The Brisbane Excelsior Band appointed Howard as Musical Director in 2002.

He has since led XLCR to remarkable contest successes unequalled in Australasia band history including eight State Championship wins, FABB (Federation of Australian Brass Bands) Australasian championship in 2013, eight Australian National A Grade Championships and three New Zealand Championship titles. Howard also led Brisbane Excelsior to two prestigious events in the United Kingdom, the British Open and the All England Masters.

He held the position of Musical Director of The National Band of New Zealand from 2007-2009 until leaving for the UK in 2010 to work as Resident Conductor with the world famous Fairey Band.

Howard returned to Brisbane Excelsior as Musical Director in 2013.

His ground-breaking work with brass bands includes regular trips to Tonga to work with school bands and conductors (starting the very first National Youth Band of Tonga in 2016) and mentoring and adjudicating opportunities throughout Australasia. He has completed a Master of Music at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University and runs his own company Taylormade Music Australia.

The Brisbane Excelsior Band has provided distinguished musical entertainment across multiple generations of Australian audiences through an extensive range of performances, including concerts, ceremonial parades, community park events, official openings, ceremonial occasions, vice-regal functions, and corporate engagements.

As Queensland’s premier A Grade brass ensemble, Brisbane Excelsior Band has established an exceptional competitive record in recent years. The band holds the unique distinction of being the only brass band to achieve four consecutive Australian National Championship titles alongside two consecutive New Zealand National Championship victories.

Notable performance highlights include representing Australia at the Chinese New Year celebrations in Hong Kong, performing at the Lord Mayor’s Gala Concert, and presenting ‘Cathedral Brass’ at St John’s Cathedral in the presence of Her Excellency The Governor of Queensland. The band has also competed at prestigious international events, including the British Masters in 2006 and the renowned British Open in 2009.

Brisbane Excelsior maintains an exceptionally diverse musical repertoire, encompassing classical masterworks, light classical selections, musical theatre, traditional swing, contemporary compositions, and sacred music, ensuring engaging performances for audiences across all musical preferences.