Key Signings Ahead of Brass in Concert

Mike Kilroy brings a wealth experience to the solo euphonium chair, having played with a number of the top-flight bands in England and has been with the band since the end of lock down. Jon Davies is a returnee from the YBS era and has come in on solo Eb bass, adding his considerable talents to the bass section, following the departure of Dave Smith who has commenced part-time education and parenthood. The band are also pleased to welcome Claire Skipsey to the front row team. Claire was Young Musician of the Year in 1994 and was a member of the Black Dyke Band for a number of years.

The cornet section has been further strengthened, with the signing of Paul Dale and Nick Lees. Both are former members of the band from the YBS era, and their return brings a welcome boost of experience to the back row. They are joined in the section by Haydn Osborne and Alex Parker. The incoming players are filling vacancies left when Toby and Kate Brazier moved to teach in Spain at the beginning of the lock-down, and Steve Taylor who stepped down from the band after several years service.

MD Morgan Griffiths said “It has been great to welcome such a fantastic group of players to Hammonds, and it is great to see the return of some former YBS stalwarts. Lockdown has certainly been a challenging period for banding, and, as we begin to see some return to normality, I am thrilled that we have been able to continue to strengthen our team. We are looking forward to Brass in Concert at the weekend, followed by a busy period of concerts through Christmas and into January and the contest season beyond that”.