4BR has been informed that euphonium star Michael Dodd has decided to relinquish his position with Grimethorpe Colliery Band after 14 highly successful years.

Heavy heart

Michael told 4BR: "It’s with a real heavy heart that I’ve made this decision, but primarily it’s so I can spend more time with my young family.

Playing for Grimethorpe is a massive honour as well as commitment, which involves a lot of time away, especially at weekends. It’s been a privilege to work with some of the world’s finest brass players and conductors and I wish everyone at Grimethorpe every success in the future."

Awards

Michael took up the role of principal euphonium in October 1998 and has performed with them through both difficult times and simply fantastic ones, including many worldwide performances from Sydney Opera House to Carnegie Hall in New York.

He has also helped the band to claim victories at the National Championships of Great Britain, Brass in Concert and the Yorkshire Area, whilst his individual excellence has been widely admired and respected, seeing him claim the prestigious ‘Best Soloist’ Awards at the European Championships and National Finals.

It’s been a privilege to work with some of the world’s finest brass players and conductors and I wish everyone at Grimethorpe every success in the futureMichael Dodd

Great player and bloke

Band Manager Gareth Crane told 4BR: "Everyone at Grimethorpe will miss a truly great player and a great bloke. He is one of the finest euphonium players of all time and a massive character in and around the bandroom.

He epitomises everything that is Grimethorpe – and as a result he has gained a worldwide reputation for his quality as a performer and as a man."

Replacement

The band has wasted no time in appointing his successor in current euphonium player Philippe Schwartz.

Gareth added: "We are very lucky to have a ready made replacement in Philippe who has already shown his fantastic qualities as a soloist and leader when standing in for Michael at various concerts.

We are now looking forward to Philippe making the seat his own and becoming the latest in a long line of world class Grimethorpe euphonium players."

Final appearances

4BR was informed that Grimethorpe will now begin the search for a new euphonium player, whilst Michael Dodd’s final concerts with the band will be at Bolton and Halifax this weekend.