Gary first became involved in banding at the age of 8 when he joined the Cwmaman Institute Silver Band Junior Section.  Banding first appealed to him after attending a local senior band concert in which his uncle (Maldwin Griffiths) was playing bass trombone.  It is to Maldwin whom he dedicates his passion for brass banding.

During the next two/three years Gary attended junior band rehearsals under the baton of Mr. Terry Howells.  It was during this period that the then junior band became the senior band overnight as Cwmaman faced the prospect of not competing due to insufficient numbers.  It was during this period that Gary changed from playing b flat cornet to Soprano cornet, experiencing both the highs and lows of banding as initially the band were consistently last at contest level, before rising through the ranks under the initial direction of Mark Constance succeeded by Cynon Jones, all of whom he had untold admiration.

In 1990, Gary was chosen as a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales under the baton of Mr Bram Tovey, before finally achieving his main ambition – playing in the Championship (1994). 

During the past decade Gary has achieved the majority of his main ambitions in banding.  In 1996, Gary first took up the baton, as he became the musical director of Llywdcoed Silver Band.  He instantly achieved success with the baton, gaining 2nd place in the Treorchy contest held at Parc and Dare Hall (November 1996), but resigned during 1997 due to Cwmaman Institute appointing Mr. John Hudson as their professional conductor, hence resulting in a greater playing commitment being required. 

Although playing under many established conductors such as Stan Lippeatt, Steve Bastable, Graham O’Connor, Phil Harper and Nigel Seaman, it is under the direction of John Hudson, Cwmaman Band had its greatest success, and became a period from which Gary achieved most inspiration. 

 In May 2002 playing solo cornet for Cwmaman Institute, the band won the Grand Shield contest at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool, gaining Cwmaman promotion to the Prestigious British Open Championship.  In September 2002, again playing solo cornet, the band achieved 5th place in the British Open, a day that will always rank amongst the most satisfactory in banding for him.  In 2004 and 2005, having returned to play Soprano cornet, Cwmaman Institute qualified to play in the Royal Albert Hall for the National championships of Great Britain. 

 During the past 26 years of Banding, Gary has won 3 soloist prizes playing Soprano Cornet for Cwmaman Institute Silver Band.  Two in the first section (Les Preludes - Listz and Journey into Freedom – Eric Ball) and one in the Championship Section (Sounds – John Golland).

 In August 2005, Gary became the Musical Director of Tylorstown Band.  Now, no longer playing, Gary wishes to emulate his success as a player with the baton. Since his appointment in August 2005 Tylorstown Band have gained promotion into the Championship Section of the Welsh League, Qualified for the National Finals by gaining 2nd Place at the Welsh Regional Competition in Swansea and 4th Place in their first Championship Competition.

Gary wishes to express his gratitude to his wife and children for their continued support.