The Eccleston Band has announced the signing of two new members ahead of their North West Regional Championship challenge in Blackpool in March.

Student leave

At the end of last year, the band lost two valuable young players as they started out on their university studies.

Cornet player Chris Musgrave and trombonist Nick Brocklehurst are now studying music at Birmingham Conservatoire and Leeds University respectively, and the band has taken the opportunity to thank them for their hard work and commitment over the past few years.

Cornet and trombone

However, in their place comes Jess Lyon on repiano cornet and Emma Barton on second trombone.

Jess is currently a student at UCLan and joins the band from Old Hall Brass, whilst Emma has moved to the band from Trinity Girls where she used to play bass trombone. Both will be making their debuts at Brass at the Guild Hall this weekend.

Both players are strong additions as we prepare for our contest performances in 2013MD, Danny Brooks

Massive asset

MD Danny Brooks told 4BR: "Emma is a superb trombone player and a massive asset to the band, whilst Jess is an emerging talent on cornet and is looking to continue her development with us.

Both players are strong additions as we prepare for our contest performances in 2013."