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”

On Sunday 30th September the band took part in the Bolsover Festival of Brass 2018 and was delighted to be placed 2nd overall in the first section and equal 4th in the championship section, whilst also being awarded the prize of the most entertaining band in the championship section.

To see these performances, please click on the links below

1st Section :https://youtu.be/HcsIYuoDYrc

Championship Section ::http://youtu.be/bizALnqn_MM

 

Strata are delighted to announce a number of changes to personnel in our cornet section.

Firstly, a huge welcome to our new Principal Cornet Lucy Heeley who joins us from Chapeltown Silver Prize Band, where she has been assistant principal cornet since 2017.

Lucy has numerous accolades, including being awarded Rotherham Young Musician of the year (Intermediate Section) in 2017 & more recently several prizes in the Holme Valley Solo Contest. She’s also part of the 2018 National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.  All this & Lucy isn’t yet 14!

Lucy gave us the following statement:
“I am really excited to be given this fantastic opportunity by Strata and am looking forward to the challenge. I would like to thank everyone at Chapeltown and in particular previous and current Music Directors Andrew Dennis and Sam Fisher for the wonderful opportunities they gave me over the past 3 years”

Our gratitude goes to John Parkinson who steps down from the principal seat due to work commitments. John is staying with the band as assistant principal cornet.

Comments from our MD Jonathan Bates:
“It’s a great pleasure to be able to welcome such an exciting talent in Lucy to the band. I first came across her playing as an adjudicator at the Holme Valley Solo Championships, where she won every section she entered, including the award for the most outstanding musical performance of the day. As a player with such huge potential, and one who is already a member of the solo cornet bench of the National Youth Brass Band, we’re delighted at Strata to be the next stage of Lucy’s musical development.”

Welcome also to Jennifer Doran, who joins on the front row from Worsborough Brass.

A statement from Jennifer:
“I am really excited to be joining the band and look forward to improving as a player as a result”

Finally a huge thank you to Philip Barrett who has unfortunately had to make the decision to retire from playing for health reasons.

Philip sent the band the following message:
“After so many years I have many good memories but one I will always cherish is the area win earlier this year.
Finally may I say thanks for all the friendship during my time with the band and I wish you all, both individually and collectively, all the best for the future”

With the above changes that means we’re almost at full strength, however we are still recruiting for a Tenor Trombone. Please contact us if you’re interested!

We now look forward to our next engagement at Wetherby Bandstand in August, before the National Finals in September.

Last night saw Strata hold a successful race night event at the Rockingham Centre, Barnsley.

A great evening was had by all & ultimately raising £800 to support the Band in getting to the National Finals in September.

We now turn our attentions to the upcoming Whiston & Shirebrook Entertainment contests on the 7th & 8th of July respectively.

A few photos from the evening:

Race in action – plenty of assistance with the dice!

Victory celebrations!

No evening complete without a decent buffet

Buffet provided courtesy of On A Roll, Dinnington

Tote Betting services provided by the team from bates365 (Graham, Debbie & Jonny Bates)

This post is intended to explain a little more about what the race night is about & how it will work.

Is this like other race nights?

This is not your traditional “watch a video” night. It’s far more interactive with a huge board, six wooden horses and two volunteers per race throwing dice to decide which horse moves along the board. The kids (big & small) will love it!

How does the betting work?