Sir William Hughes
Sir William (Bill) Hughes was appointed to the Ontario Arts Council’s board of directors in November 2006. His term was renewed in November 2009.
Born in Holywood, Northern Ireland, Bill was principal flute and piccolo player with the band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines for nine years. During this time he performed solos for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and other heads of state at many official functions. He performed as a freelance flautist throughout Britain and Europe and with many of the top orchestras in London, as well as doing recordings, including television and radio.
After settling in Canada in 1982, he became the Principal Director of Music for the 48th Highlanders of Canada. Bill became the fourth Director of Music for the Burlington Teen Tour Band in 1998.
A frequent adjudicator at the North American Music Festivals, Bill also gives master classes and clinics and has been a judge at the World Championships for Marching Bands. Bill received a knighthood in 1997, the same year he was awarded the title Chevalier de Lorraine (a Knight of Lorraine) by France. He is based in Princeton, Ontario.