The Comber Silver Band has announced the appointment of Andrew Thompson as its first Composer in Residence.

Graduate

Andrew is a graduate of Queen’s University Belfast and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and has a wide musical background.

He also recently played percussion in winning performances with both Comber Silver Band and the First Old Boys’ Band, which won the best percussion prize in the top section of the Brass Band League Championships.

Looking forward

MD Wesley Thompson commented to 4BR: "I’m looking forward to working with my son in developing new concert repertoire for our junior band, Laureldale Brass Ensemble. He has grown up in a brass band family and has a good understanding of brass band scoring.

I've been impressed by the arrangements he has done and I’m pleased that this opportunity to further develop and showcase his talent as a composer has become available."

We are excited by this new partnership and we look forward to working with Andrew in producing compositions and arrangementsBand Chairman, Lawrence Balhaam

Excited

Band Chairman, Lawrence Balhaam, added: "We are excited by this new partnership and we look forward to working with Andrew in producing compositions and arrangements that will be enjoyed by Comber Silver Band, Laureldale Brass Ensemble and our audiences."