Brighouse & Rastrick has announced that Garry Cutt has agreed to increase his time commitment to the West Riding band by taking on the role of Principal Guest Conductor with immediate effect.

Working relationship

Band President Paul Beaumont told 4BR: "Garry has been taking selective concerts and rehearsals over the last two years and has forged a great working relationship with all the players."

4BR understands that Professor David King will continue to be responsible for all preparation and delivery of contest work, to ensure that Garry Cutt has no conflict of interest with his responsibilities as the new Professional Conductor of the Fairey Band.

Great job

Speaking to 4BR, Garry Cutt said: "It's a great job to have. Brighouse are one of the three big names in English banding that play concerts to capacity audiences.

In many ways I’ve got the best of all worlds: Quality concerts with Brighouse, the major contests with Fairey, and of course, freelance conducting abroad, when time permits.”

In many ways I’ve got the best of all worlds: Quality concerts with Brighouse, the major contests with Fairey, and of course, freelance conducting abroad, when time permitsGarry Cutt

USA and Norway

Garry revealed that his increasingly busy overseas freelance work will include a return visit to the Natural State Brass Band in Little Rock in Arkansas, where he help their MD Rusty Morris with preparation for the North American Brass Band Championships in Cincinnati in April.

He will also make a return visit back to Norway too, with a further appearance at the Grenland Festival.

Good news

It seems the good news has just kept coming the four time British Open winning conductor’s way – after he recently tied the knot with his long term partner Lucy Murphy with their Christmas wedding.

As Garry added with a sly chuckle; "I get to conduct the best bands around, marry the love of my life, and get to travel the world too. No wonder I’m happy."