Connor began his love affair with the Cornet in his hometown of Bolton, when at the age of 10 he began lessons with enthusiastic Bolton Music Service brass tutor Helen Minshall. He played with a number of ensembles through the Bolton music service, and then joined the Bolton Youth Brass Band (BYBB) where he took the opportunity to move onto the soprano cornet chair.

At this juncture Connor began instrumental lessons with current Fodens Richardson Band soprano Richard Poole.  Under the tuition of Richard, Connor rapidly improved his playing, and as a result of this won numerous awards with BYBB. It was during this period that he also decided to attend Black Dyke’s youth programme – ‘The Yorkshire Youth Brass Band’.

Whilst studying his A-levels Connor joined the Poulton Le Fylde Brass Band on the soprano chair gaining valuable experience playing in the north-west championship section contests.  He then had spells playing for the Wingates Brass Band and the Wardle & Anderson Brass Band under Sean Conway.

In 2011 Connor studied at the University of Huddersfield gaining a BMus (Hons) degree under the guidance of Professor Phillip McCann and Mike Woodhead.  Whilst studying at university, he joined championship section bands such as: Wakefield and Skelmenthorpe and the Carlton Main Brass Band with whom he enjoyed four years playing in the country’s biggest competitions. A particular highlight during this period was winning the Brian Evans Memorial trophy for ‘Best Soprano’ at the British Open Championships in 2017.

In 2018 Connor went on to join the Brighouse & Raistrick Brass Band on soprano enjoying a very successful one year spell; claiming the Yorkshire Regionals Championships and 3^rd places at other ‘majors’ – a particular highlight was playing at his first European Championships. One year later Connor accepted the invitation to join the Black Dyke Brass Band on the soprano chair and has thoroughly enjoyed his first year performing with the band, claiming the Yorkshire Regional Championship and 2^nd places at other majors. Other notable highlights were overseas concerts in Japan and Switzerland.

Connor is keen on contributing to the development of the next generation of young players and currently works as an instrumental tutor for Barnsley Music Service, and more recently as a cornet tutor for the National Children’s Brass Band.