HIS film connections include 'Star Wars' and 'Brassed Off' but it is as an internationally renowned conductor that Hereford-born Ray Farr has made his name.

And such has been the demand for the talents of this former Whitecross schoolboy, he has appeared at the helm of many of the world's top orchestras in concert halls across the globe.

But despite his jet-setting career, Ray still has a deep fondness for Hereford and returns whenever he can.

"I like to get home as much possible to see mum and dad. If only there was a conducting job in Hereford I could settle down," he said.

Ray's musical career, which started at the age of five, has its roots in the city's Salvation Army Band. His dad Kenneth was bandmaster and he quickly progressed through the learner's group before taking his place in the junior band on cornet.

He also remembers with gratitude the early influences of his music teacher at Whitecross, Glan Williams, and the benefits of regular practice with the school band.

Meanwhile, his introduction to orchestral music came with the Herefordshire County Youth Orchestra.

He eventually went on to study at the Birmingham School of Music and the Royal Academy of Music in London before joining the BBC where he worked with some of the best musicians in the world.

The desire to conduct, however, soon took over. First, under the watchful eye of his father, he took the baton at Hereford Salvation Army Band, an experience he describes as the 'perfect apprenticeship'.

In 1979 Ray accepted a full time position as resident conductor with the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, made famous through the movie 'Brassed Off'.

During his five years with Grimethorpe the band won many contests and gave hundreds of concerts in Britain and all over Europe.

And it was at this time that Ray started to write music, one of his first arrangements being the theme for 'Star Wars' by John Williams.

The good times with Grimethorpe, however, ended when the pits closed in 1984.

"I was out of a job until a chance to settle in Norway came along, so I emigrated with my family," Ray explained. He has remained there ever since finding regular work with some of the country's finest musical groups.

He was appointed chief conductor with the Trondheim Military Band, conductor of the National Youth Wind Band of Norway and later the Sandnes Symphony Orchestra.

Nowadays, alongside his work at home, Ray appears as a guest-conductor all over the world and during the past 12 months has been to Australia and New Zealand, Switzerland, Holland, Sweden and Belgium.

There are also two CDs available featuring Ray's arrangements called 'Best by Farr'.