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Les comes from south London and was brought up in Sussex where he started playing for the Mayfield Band. Following his move up north, Les studied at the RNCM and MMU where he acquired both his BA and PGCE in music. He now works as a peripatetic brass teacher in Oldham.

As a player, Les held the principal trombone seat at the Fairey Band for two and a half years during which time he was awarded the best soloist prize at the English Nationals. In addition, Les has guested for many of the country’s finest bands, including Brighouse, Fodens & Grimethorpe to name but a few.

Les’ conducting career started in 2005 with a five year spell at Eccles Borough Band (then 4th section). Les achieved many contest successes with this appointment, including two wins at the Butlins Mineworkers contest, many local first prize awards and took Eccles into the 3rd section by winning the NW Area contest in Blackpool.

His next challenge was to rebuild the Marple Band. Les was MD at Marple from Feb 2012 to August 2014, during which time the band grew from strength to strength, re-entering the contesting arena in 2013 when they won the NW Area (3rd Section) at Blackpool with a fine rendition of the test piece “Hollywood”. The band were subsequently promoted to the 2nd Section for 2014, and again were successful at Blackpool, securing 2nd place, and earning a second qualification for the National Finals in two years.

Glossop Band were introduced to Les by chance in October 2014, when the bands conductor became unwell on the night of a concert. Les, who was actually there to help out as a player, kindly agreed to take the baton for the evening. The concert went without a hitch and was well presented to, and received by the packed audience.

Les and the band are very much looking forward to working together to get Glossop Band back where it belongs.

Andy is married to Diane and has 2 sons Ben and James (Ben is principle cornet at Silk Brass).

He works as a ‘Vehicle Damage Assessor’ and has done so for 29 years with major insurance companies and lately for Lex Autolease.Apart from banding, he is a staunch supporter of Manchester City (this will go down well with Stuart and Dave) and is a season ticket holder.

He lives in Whaley Bridge and started his banding career with the Whaley Bridge Band on cornet under former Glossop Band Euphonium player Peter Cordey, he played with Whaley for 24 years before becoming a founder member of Silk Brass from Macclesfield.

During his 17 years with Silk there were many contest successes and gained status from the 3rd Section (including 3rd section National Champions in 2002) to the pinnacle of Championship section in 2011.

He retired from banding in 2013 due to the increased pressure of work and commitment required of a busy banding diary but has realised that 1 rehearsal per week creates a fantastic work/life balance.
Andy is looking forward to a renewed acquaintance with Glossop Band after several appearances with them in the late 90’s.

Rachael is a relative newcomer to brass banding, swapping the trumpet for the flugelhorn shortly after completing her MA in Music at The University of Manchester in 2008. Rachael enjoyed an extremely successful five years at The Marple Band, progressing from the 3^rd to the 1^st Section in the space of two years and qualifying for two consecutive National Finals, becoming National 2^nd Section Champions in 2014.

Having just completed her PGCE in Secondary Music Teaching at MMU, Rachael is looking forward to returning to the contest stage with Glossop Old Band.

Matthew began playing the euphonium whilst at St Mary's Primary School, Marple Bridge and quickly became involved with the Stockport Schools' Brass band. He later joined Marple B Band (now Hawk Green Band) rising through the ranks and becoming principal euphonium.

In 2001 Matthew was accepted to study at the R.N.C.M. under euphonium virtuoso Steven Mead. Alongside his studies Matthew competed in brass competitions all over Europe and was a semi-finalist in the ITEC (2004) in Hungary, Lieksa Brass Week in Finland (2004) and the Phillip Jones Brass Competition in France (2003). He was also principal euphonium with Wingates Brass Band, qualifying for the National Finals in 2004.

Upon graduation from the R.N.C.M. Matthew was offered a job playing euphonium with the world famous Central Band of the Royal Air Force where he spent five years fulfilling prestigious engagements both in the UK and abroad. In 2010 Matthew left the band as principal euphonium to pursue a career in teaching and devote more time to brass bands.

Both have been featured as guest soloists in recent concerts and their playing has been much appreciated by both audience and band.

Glossop Old Band played at a fabulous concert at St Lukes Church on the 4^th October and took the opportunity to present long service awards to 4 members of the band that have between them clocked up over 140 years’ service to the band.

Alison Parker (3^rd Cornet) is the relative newcomer to the group having just achieve 25 years with Glossop Old Band.

Dave Richardson joined the band in 1978 and, apart from a very brief interlude to join Wingates, has been Principal Cornet with the band for most of the time.

Julie Askey (2^nd horn) has been a stalwart of the band since early 1970’s and has been instrumental to the running of the club.

Finally Hugh Cant (Eb bass) joined the band whilst he was in Junior school and has played with the band for over 45 years and has only made one minor move from Flugel to Eb bass.

We are very fortunate to have such loyal players and look forward to everything the future hold for both players and band.

After a very successful series of Christmas Concerts the band are now looking forward to the New Year but we need your help to continue to exist.

The band are a non-contesting band and rehearse on Tuesday evenings 8-10pm and we are looking to recruit players to the band. We have vacancies in all sections and would love to see some new and old faces in the bandroom and if you are interested in joining the band please email [email protected] and your enquiry will be treated in the strictest confidence.

We are also looking for non-players to help with the administration of the band.