Margie Antrobus

Margie S. Antrobus is a conductor, arranger, adjudicator, educator, and Yamaha Ambassador based in Bergen, Norway. She is the Resident Conductor of Flesland Musikklag and has built an international career through her work with brass bands, music education, and artistic leadership. Her contributions to the brass band movement have been recognised through nominations for the 4BarsRest Conductor of the Year award in 2022 and 2025.

Born into a musical family, Margie's passion for music began at an early age. She was introduced to brass bands by her father, conductor Michael Antrobus, whose influence inspired both her love of music and her understanding of ensemble performance. Growing up within the strong brass band traditions of Manger and Manger Folk High School in Norway, she developed a lasting appreciation for the discipline, community, and musical values that continue to shape her work today.

Margie is also one of the brass band's most sought-after adjudicators, regularly invited to judge many of the world's most prestigious competitions. Her appointments include the European Brass Band Championships, Swiss Brass Band Championships, Dutch National Brass Band Championships, North American Brass Band Championships, Yamaha Australian National Band Championships, and Brass in Concert.

Margie began playing the baritone as a young musician and went on to perform with leading ensembles including Yorkshire Building Society Band and Manger Musikklag. Working with many of the brass band's leading conductors and performing at the highest level in both competitions and concerts helped shape the musical principles that underpin her conducting, particularly her focus on sound, balance, communication, and expressive performance.

Alongside her performing career, Margie completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Band Musicianship at the University of Salford before earning a Master of Music from the University of Manchester. Her studies strengthened her skills as a performer, arranger, and conductor while developing a particular interest in music education, rehearsal psychology, and artistic leadership.

Today, Margie works regularly as a guest conductor in Norway and internationally. Alongside her role with Flesland Musikklag, she has conducted bands including Tertnes Brass, Rong Brass, Kleppe Musikklag, and Manger Musikklag, as well as the European Youth Brass Band and Nederlandse Jeugd Brass Band.

As a Yamaha Ambassador, Margie works with Yamaha to support music education, promote brass performance, and encourage the continued development of band musicianship. She is committed to making high-quality music education accessible and to supporting musicians at every stage of their musical journey.

Throughout her career, Margie has been guided by the belief that music has the power to bring people together. Whether conducting, adjudicating, arranging, or teaching, she brings enthusiasm, musical insight, and a genuine commitment to helping musicians and ensembles reach their full potential.

Education remains central to Margie's work. She enjoys working with musicians and conductors of all ages through clinics, conducting workshops, leadership seminars, and rehearsal residencies. Whether working with youth ensembles or championship bands, she aims to create rehearsals that combine high musical standards with encouragement, curiosity, and enjoyment.

Margie is also an accomplished arranger whose music is performed by brass and concert bands across Europe, Australia, and North America. Her catalogue includes concert works, solo features, film music, popular repertoire, and orchestral transcriptions, all written with a practical understanding of brass and wind ensembles and a focus on engaging, rewarding performances.

Known for her thoughtful, insightful, and balanced approach to adjudication, Margie places great value on musical storytelling, stylistic understanding, and artistic courage. While technical excellence is
fundamental, she believes the most memorable performances are those in which conductors and musicians make confident artistic choices, communicate with conviction, and bring every score vividly to life. She is a passionate advocate for constructive feedback and believes that the greatest musical moments often come from ensembles willing to embrace informed artistic risk.