*
banner

Co-op add high profile additions to ranks

Co-operative Funeralcare announce a quintet of high profile signings ahead of their Scottish Championship title defence.

Co-op in action at British Open
 

Reigning Scottish champion Co-operative Funeralcare has announced a quintet of high profile signings ahead of its title defence in Perth in March.

Horn, tubas, cornet and euph

Former Tredegar solo horn player Chris Davies takes on the same role with immediate effect, whilst Belgian star Glen Van Looy will return to play solo euphonium.

Ben Thomson, Principal Tuba of the Scottish Symphony Orchestra comes in on the bass end and will be joined by Alistair Boag from Kirkintilloch who joins on Bb tuba.

Finally, the band welcomes back former principal cornet player Christine Millar to further strengthen the cornet team.

Excited

Chris commented to 4BR: "Co-op has really made a name for itself over the last few years and I’m excited to be joining at this juncture and honoured that I was invited."

Glenn added: "I'm very happy with my new appointment at Co-op. I worked with the band at the European Championships in Rotterdam and really enjoyed it. They have been in great form and I'm looking forward to working with MD Dr Nicholas Childs."

We are really excited that the players all accepted our invitation to join usBand Manager Martin Stack

Wealth of experience

Band Manager Martin Stack told 4BR: "We are really excited that the players all accepted our invitation to join us. Christine and Alistair are well known to us, bring a wealth of experience of top class banding and will be great assets to their respective sections.

The appointments of Chris, Ben and Glenn is fantastic news too as they are performers of the very highest class."

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Stephen Cobb

Cobb to lead Kingdom Triumphant workshop

October 11 • Dr Stephen Cobb will lead a workshop on Eric Ball's iconic work — and its open to everyone to be part of for free.


Wychavon Festival of Brass

Wychavon Festival announces adjudication panels

October 11 • The adjudication teams for the popular Wychavon Festival of Brass later this year have been announced.


4BR

4BR Review — Episode 23

October 10 • Join Iwan and Chris as they look back at how the 2026 National Championship title was won and lost at the Royal Albert Hall in London last weekend — and some of the questions that arose from it.


Gregson

Gregson set for Chicago Symphony Orchestra performance

October 10 • Edward Gregson's 'Symphony in Two Movements' is to be performed by the symphonic brass and percussion ensemble of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra later this year.


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Brass

Saturday 10 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Autumn Concert

Saturday 10 October • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB


Garforth Brass - Annual Chairman's Charity Concert

Saturday 10 October • Miners Welfare Hall. 56 Main Street. Garforth . Leeds. LS25 1AA LS25 1AA


Bedford Town Band - Autumn Concert also featuring our Academy

Saturday 10 October • Putnoe Heights Church. Putnoe Heights. Bedford MK41 8EB


Regent Hall Concerts - Trafalgar Brass

Thursday 15 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Tintwistle Band

October 11 • We are looking for a repiano cornet player to help complete the team. We are a second section band and rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle. We perform a variety of concerts and contests all year round.


Epping Forest Band

October 8 • Euphonium and solo horn wanted to join our friendly sociable 2nd section band. Based in Essex with close links to the M11 and the underground central line. Instrument's provided of required


Bedford Town Band

October 8 • Bedford Town Band are looking to recruit a Solo trombone and Repiano cornet . We are playing at the Wychavon Contest in a few weeks and are looking to be in the frame at the 1st Section Regionals . Rehearsals Thursday 7.45 at Castle Newnham School.


Andreas Kratz

Mus.B (hons)
Conductor, Adjudicator, Teacher


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd