Lana Tingay

Lana receives honorary life membership of Rotary International from Guillermo Bibiloni Pons, president of the Rotary Club of Menorca
 Lana Tingay

​Born in 1963, Lana’s musical life started with the piano at the age of 7.  Her attention first turned to brass aged 12, when she started to learn the tenor horn with tuition from Rochdale Music Service.  Lana has never looked back and played for a range of bands, including Kingsway Youth Band (1975 – 1981), Stalybridge Band (1981 – 1987) and Rochdale Band (1987 – 1999).   

Lana first brandished the conductor’s baton at the tender age of 19 with Kingsway Junior Band.  In 1984 she took up the post of conductor with Friezland Band in Saddleworth, where she spent 24 happy years; taking the band to the National Finals and on several international tours.

Music has always been an integral part of Lana’s life; at both work and play.  Academically, Lana has excelled, achieving a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Music and a BA (with Honours) degree in Brass Band Studies.  Lana has worked as a peripatetic teacher for Tameside and Rochdale Music Service before moving to South Wales in 2007, where she took up a post as a peripatetic music teacher with Gwent Music Services.  Lana has adjudicated on many occasions from youth solo competitions through to national entertainment competitions.

It was not long before Lana became fully involved in the Welsh Banding scene.   After a brief, but successful spell with Newbridge Celynen Band, Lana joined Abergavenny Borough Band in May 2009 as cornet player and to conduct/tutor the training and youth bands.  There are currently over 40 enthusiastic and energetic young people who regularly enjoy the benefit of Lana’s experience and inspiration.

Lana was appointed as Abergavenny Borough Band’s resident conductor in 2012, and now works in partnership with the band’s musical director, Sean O'Neill. She is joined at Abergavenny by her daughter Elizabeth, who plays tenor horn; and husband Jonathan, who plays bass trombone.​

Lana is also the inspiration behind Gwent Charity Brass and in particular with its links with the island of Menorca.

Over the many years Lana has been involved with Rotary International in Menorca Lana and her family have nurtured their links with the island and the Menorcans.  Their visits to Menorca extend far beyond the band tours.  No summer is complete for them unless it is spent in Menorca with their many friends including Marilyn and Ivor White, Rotarian and 'Honorary Band Master'.  Menorca has indeed become their home from home.