Gilbert Vinter is especially known in the United Kingdom and outside for his compositions for brass band. As a boy he sang in the choir of Lincoln Cathedral. He studied the bassoon at the Royal Academy of Music in Londen, and from 1930 he played in the BBC Wireless Band as well as in the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

During the Second World War he fulfilled his military service as a member of the Royal Air Force Central Band and later as conductor of the Royal Air Force Coastal Command Band. After the war he was conductor at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). He also conducted the BBC Concert Orchestra and Midland Light Orchestra. He did this until his retirement.

Gilbert Vinter also was professor at the London Royal Academy of Music.

Besides his numerous compositions for brass band Vinter also wrote orchestral and choral pieces, ballets and an opera. His best-known work undoubtedly is the cantate “The Trumpets”, which is set on text from the Old Testament.