Pennine Brass are experiencing change left, right and center as they enter the New Year. Chris Beaumont joins the band on solo trombone after previously playing with the Knottingley Silver and Innovative Skelmanthorpe Bands. The band are delighted to welcome Chris formally after his debut appearance with the band at The 2007 National Finals where Pennine went on to win the First Section Champions title.

Also joining the ranks are Helen Stott and Vikki Holland, on the solo cornet bench. Helen previously played with Northop Silver band before moving to Yorkshire where she now teaches brass in schools in and around Bradford, and Helen is a student at Leeds University.

The band also see the sad departure of MD Ian Porthouse after 8 wonderful years. Ian was appointed in 1999, not long after the band was formed and took Pennine Brass from the Second Section through to the Championship Section in Yorkshire.

Successes

During his tenure, Pennine were French Open and Senior Trophy, winners, Tameside Open Champions, Pontins - Harry and Margaret Mortimer Championships victors and National First Section Champions.

Ian's other commitments mean that he wasn't available to conduct Pennine for either the 2008 Area contest or the Grand Shield and it has been mutually agreed that a new Musical Director should be appointed from March 2008.

Ray Farr

The band has announced that Ray Farr has agreed to conduct at the Yorkshire Area in March and that Ian will be working with Ray in the preparations leading up to this competition. The band is looking for a permanent Musical Director to start after the Area contest.

Remarkable experience

Ian told 4BR: "Pennine brass has been a remarkable experience for myself, sometimes successful and at other times not so, but I suppose that is the business that contesting is!

When I started working with the band 8 years ago I had no idea that this was to become the main musical commitment in my life. I’ve seen the band develop from a 2nd section outfit with around 15 players into a very competent ensemble capable of competing at the highest level, and providing me with some very special musical memories and some great comedy moments too but we won’t go into that!"

Not cutting ties

He added: "Around 12 months ago I spoke with the management team to tell them of my plans professionally, that being my involvement with Tredegar as professional conductor. Since then I’ve tried to offer both bands as much time as possible but there comes a point where this becomes impossible, 200 miles between the bandrooms doesn’t help!

He concluded: "I do not see this decision as a cut in all ties with the band, I will always be available to Pennine even if it is just in an advisory role. The time has come for a new MD to make Pennine their own and lead this great team of people onto more success."

Achieved a great deal

Meanwhile, Pete Denton, Band Chairman, told 4BR: "It's really sad to see Ian go. He has worked very hard and achieved a great deal with the band. In addition to his formal musical role, he has been a great friend and support to many of the band's members. We wish him well with his future career and hope that we will have opportunities to work with him again in the future."

Discussing the appointment of Ray Farr, Peter said: "At the same time, we're really happy to have engaged the services of a musician of Ray Farr's calibre and experience for the Area. We're very much looking forward to working with him."

He added: "Although it feels like the end of an era for those of us who have played in the band for a number of years under Ian, I'm also feeling really positive about the future. Ian will be a hard act to follow but I'm sure there's someone out there who's just right for the job."

The band are currently looking forward to an exciting 2008 and welcome applicants for the position of MD. If you are interested, you should contact the band via information on the website.

Article courtsey of 4barsrest.com