Our penultimate narrator is BBC Radio Leeds’ very own David Hoyle.
David is the latest star name to join our narration team for ‘A Christmas Carol’, premiering at 6pm on Friday 18th December.
David hosted the incredibly popular Yorkshire Brass programme on BBC Radio Leeds and still hosts a regular feature showcasing the music of brass bands across the network. We’re delighted David will join Frank Renton, Philip Harper and Simone Rebello for this extra special Christmas event!
Following the announcements of Frank Renton and Philip Harper, we’re delighted to now announce that Simone Rebello will also join our narration team in December!
Simone has been one of the world’s leading lights of the percussion world for many years, both as a soloist and within ensembles. Whilst being hugely in demand as a teacher, she is also the voice of both the National Brass Band Championships at the Royal Albert Hall and the popular RNCM – Royal Northern College of Music Brass Band Festival.
We’re extremely excited to announce that Philip Harper will be joining Frank Renton as part of our team of special guest narrators for our musical director Jonathan Bates Music’s brand new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ much-loved ‘A Christmas Carol’ in December!
Philip’s sheer volume of competition successes as conductor of The Cory Band – the world’s number 1 ranked brass band – have been unparalleled, leading the band to several British Open, European, National and Brass in Concert titles whilst also driving the innovation and excellence of the band through a range of new compositions, arrangements and concepts.
The music is almost ready and the band have started remotely filming their videos, so now is the time to start announcing the narrators for this magical project.
The first narrator is Frank Renton.
A man who needs no introduction to the brass band world. Frank was the long-running host of the popular ‘Listen To The Band’ programme on BBC Radio 2, whilst also being the charismatic master of ceremonies for competitions such as Brass in Concert, the European Brass Band Championships and Butlins Mineworkers Championships.
Truly one of the iconic voices of our movement!
Strata Brass are pleased to announce several new signings ahead of their appearance in the Yorkshire Championship Area Contest in March.
Kelvin Tsang who is over in the UK to study takes up the Principal Euphonium seat while Joe Bradford takes up the position of Assistant Principal Cornet, having impressed the band over the last few weeks with his Repiano Playing.
David Edwards fills the vacant Repiano chair and Oliver Bartlett takes up the 2nd trombone position, transferring from the City of Cardiff Mellingriffith Band. The band is happy to see Josh Allen return to the band on Eb Bass following a period away. Josh was part of the winning First Section Regional Yorkshire Championships in 2018.
Band manager, Rob Hardy said ‘The band are looking forward to challenges of competing in the championship section in Huddersfield and also their first ever appearance in the Spring Festival in May. The band has continued its recent policy under MD Jonathan Bates to encourage young players to meet the challenges ahead and the band is benefitting from their contribution.’
Absolutely delighted to announce a strong 3rd place for the band at the Preston Guild Hall in preparation for the Yorkshire Area. This secures an invitation for the band to the Spring Festival in May.
Congratulations to City of Bradford (1st) and Thorsby (2nd) for their places respectively
Strata Brass held their annual Christmas concert and awards on Wednesday 12th December 2018.
Strata played mixture of traditional Christmas songs, new arrangements and audience carols.
The annual awards were presented and were awarded to:
Players Player of the year – Lucy Healey (Principal Cornet)
Bandsman of the year – Rob Hardy (Principal Percussion)
Band Supporter of the Year – Richard Hardy
The band also presented an award of appreciation to Musical Director Johnathan Bates for all his hard work, which has result in the band being awarded 10 prizes in 7 contests this year.
Strata are delighted to announce a number of changes in personnel as we look towards the challenges that 2019 holds.
Firstly a huge welcome to Adam Delbridge-Smith, who joins on Soprano Cornet. Adam is currently in his first year at the Royal Northern Collage of Music at Manchester studying Trumpet. He started playing at St Newlyn East Brass Band at the age of 12, Adam as also held the position of Principal Trumpet of the Cornwall Youth Brass Ensemble from 2014 to 2018.
We also welcome Matthew Balderson on Eb Bass who joins us from Skelmanthorpe Prospect band. Matthew hails from just down the road in Huddersfield where he started playing at the age of 8 on cornet and went on to play various instruments before finding his love for the bass at the age of 14. Matthew is really looking forward to the challenges what lie ahead with the band and has been really impressed with what he has seen band’s setup so far.
Band spokesman Robert Hardy said “were absolutely delighted with these 2 signings. To capture the signatures of these 2 young talented players is very pleasing for the band as we prepare for life in the championship section for 2019, and feel that youth is fundamental to our progression”
