Burbage Band says goodbye as they look to the future and celebrate the past

Buxtons Burbage Brass Band, who are renowned for producing young players, are saying goodbye to three of their success stories as a group of their young stars leave for university. Pictured left to right are Nathan Gratton who is to study at the Royal Northern School of Music, Euphonium player Danny Ramsay and bass trombone player Hati Whitley. The band have also recently said goodbye to long serving bass player Stella Johnson who has gone to work in Leeds. Musical Director Steve Critchlow commented "the band is a close knit unit, and as such we hope we'll see plenty of these players when they come home. However it does mean we have some vacancies for which we hope to be able to attract players wanting to join our ambitious and successful team. Anyone interested should feel free to get in touch with me. I want to thanks those players moving on, who have made a massive contribution, as well as forming great friendships and many happy memories"

The band were formed in 1861 and next year have a series of special events planned to celebrate 150 years. In addition to a trip to participate in the Butlins brass band festival, the band are planning a recording, a free open air public event and reunion, a concert with a top brass band and have commissioned a piece of music especially for the band by one of the countries best brass band composers. In celebrating a great milestone the band hope to pay tribute to all those players of the past who have served Burbage Band as well as making 2011 a great time to be a member of Burbage Band in the present. You can find out more about the band at www.burbageband.co.uk or by calling Steve on 01298 79152