New musical director Matt Shaw
Whaley Bridge Band (‘WBB’) is delighted to welcome Matt Shaw as their new Musical Director. Matt, who hails from Stockport, graduated from the RNCM last year where he studied Bass Trombone. As well as playing with the Championship Section Bollington Brass Band, he conducts Shaw Swing, his own big band, and has also performed with the Hallé Orchestra. You may even have seen him on TV when he played with Dinnington Colliery Band, which was featured in “A Band for Britain” on BBC1 in 2010.
There are exciting times ahead for Whaley Bridge Band as Matt puts them through their paces on traditional brass band music but also adds new variety to their repertoire.
“ I am delighted to have been appointed as musical director for Whaley Bridge Band” Matt told us. “It is my intention to expand the band’s current repertoire to include more swing influenced pieces, allowing me to draw upon knowledge gained from my previous position as a big band director. I am looking forward to working with the band, and I am eagerly anticipating my début performance with WBB later this month.”
The Band has a very full programme of engagements over the next few weeks, so there is plenty of opportunity to see Matt in action during May and June.
Sunday 14th May 2pm Garden Party at Spire House, Bings Road, Whaley Bridge, in aid of Whaley-Tymbark Twinning Association
Sunday 20th May 2pm Concert at Uniting Church, Whaley Bridge, in aid of East Cheshire and High Peak MS Society
Sunday 27th May 2pm Concert in Pavilion Gardens, Buxton
Sunday 10th June 12.00 until 13.00 at Whaley Water Weekend
And of course the band will once again have the honour of leading the Whaley Bridge Rose Queen Festival Parade through the town on Carnival Day, Saturday 30th June. Always a big occasion, but extra special this year with a massed Whaley Band of over forty local musicians when the Learners march alongside the Senior players.
And as if that’s not enough, there is another opportunity to hear the band on Carnival Sunday, 1st July at 3.30pn at Whaley Bowling Club at our free Festival concert of popular brass band favourites.
If you are inspired by our music and want to hear more, or would like to book the band for your event, or maybe even play with us (all standards welcome!) then please contact Lorraine Jenkins on 01298 815069.
Also Whaley Water Weekend Sunday 10th June 12.00 until 13.00
Thanks
To whom this may concern,
Although you may not regonise the above name, my great grandfather would be more recognised & associated to The Whaley Bridge Brass Band as he was the principal musical director there for many, many years…
I know this because I have so fortunately have his cased conductors stick/batten still, which was handed down to me from my grandfather, it is still very much, respected because of it’s history & meaning behind it, i’m so immensely & greatly honoured to have it, I suppose I’m one very grateful, lucky & proud great grandson…
My great grandfather was no other than (“Mr. Samuel Haughty”) he had the conductors stick/batten presented to him on the 24th day of February 1923, for services rendered to “known then as” The Whaley Bridge Public Band, I would love very much to have the opportunity to come & watch one of the band’s performances sometime in the very near future…
To do this also in honour to his name, his passed links to the band, my love for music in general & well! Because he’s my great grandfather, I only live in the borough of Stockport so it’s not a million miles away for me to travel, I will await your reply, communication & correspondence with anticipation, until such time, kind & sincere regards & continuing success with the band… Mr. Stephen James Woodhead…