Kevin Donaldson, the former soprano star with Williams Fairey and YBS, has joined the East Yorkshire Motor Services Band.

Kevin decided to return to full-time playing with the Hull based band after a period away from competitive banding.

Boost

EYMS chairman Tony Newiss told 4BR: "A quality soprano player gives a boost to any band. To find Kevin working just down the road only weeks after our soprano seat became available is a real bonus."

He added: "Kevin’s pedigree speaks for itself and having depped for us for the past few weeks, the fact he has now joined is great news for the band."

Looking forward

Kevin meanwhile, told 4BR that he is looking forward to his top flight return.

"For the past few years I’ve not been able to commit fully to banding, but after spending time with EYMS and being made very welcome I felt the time was right to again get back into serious playing with a great group of people."

A quality soprano player gives a boost to any band. To find Kevin working just down the road only weeks after our soprano seat became available is a real bonusEYMS Chairman, Tony Newiss

Emerging talent

Having started playing soprano aged five in his church brass band in Salford, Kevin moved to Besses Boys before becoming part of an exciting group of youngsters at Swinton being developed by a young up and coming conductor called David King.

He later enjoyed prolific periods of success with Williams Fairey and Besses before becoming the first soprano player with the emerging contesting juggernaut that was Yorkshire Building – re-uniting with his Australian mentor.

Success

Further success came with Fairey and a return to YBS before he took time away from banding to start his own successful business.

Kevin’s first contest appearances will be at the Bolsover Festival of Brass in October and the Scottish Open the following month.

Thanks

The band took the opportunity to thank Peter Roberts, Geoff Hawley and John Parkinson for their help with soprano duties prior to the exciting new signing.