The Band Welcome New Signings in Preparation for London Challenge

As the band prepares for its first visit to the Albert Hall in 10 years, we are delighted to annouce the signing of two players to strengthen and develop our cornet section.

Sharon and Keir

Sharon Swales has joined us from Skelmanthorpe Band where she has played for the last 18 years. In her time there Sharon worked her way up the cornet section and spent the last four years as their principal cornet player. Sharon is delighted to be joining the band at this time as she was looking for a conductor who would still be able to challenge her as a player and she knew that Morgan Griffiths could do that after she played for us at the British Open last year. A dedicated player with many years of experience Sharon was at the top of our list when looking to fill a vacancy in our cornet section. 

Another superb addition to the front row is Kier Evans-Brown who joins us from the Hatfield Band. Principal cornet of the Yorkshire Youth Brass Band and a member of the National Youth Brass Ban of Great Britain Keir has just started studying for his A-Levels as he joins the band. He has visited on a number of occasions over the summer and has impressed us so much with his playing and level of commitment that we were delighted to offer him a place within our solo cornet bench in the build up to the National Finals. The band’s Musical Director Morgan Griffiths commented:

“It’s fantastic to welcome to the band our two new players who have both impressed me with the quality of their music making, and this now completes a very strong cornet line up for the band”

Some of the silverware we have aquired during 2017

Both players join the band after a busy summer. The band have performed in a number of large scale indoor and outdoor prom concerts during June and July. The band also took to the contest stage as well, taking part in two of the local march contests in West Yorkshire. The band swept the board at Hebden Bridge March & Hymn Tune Contest, finishing first overall winning best march, best hymn, best principal cornet and the best street march. Then a week later came runners up at the Brighouse March and Hymn tune Contest and took the best bass section prize for the second year running.

At Centenary Square with Bradford Music Service Youth Band, Shri. Jasdeep and Marc.

Earlier in June the band again took part in the BBC Music Day, held at Centenary Square in Bradford. Taking to the stage with Bradford Music Service Youth Band, Shri, Marc and Jasdeep we performed several movements from the Just a Vibration album.  

On stage with Overgate Hospice Choir and their MD Simon Lindley

This event was on the back of performing to a sellout audience in Elland to as we took to the stage with Overgate Hospice Choir to help raise funds for the palliative care the hospice provides throughout the year to the residents in the Halifax area.