The Eccles Band has announced a quartet of signings ahead of the second half of the 2014 contest season.

New signings

The international attraction of the North West band has persuaded Melvin Tay from Singapore to commit full time as solo euphonium after making his debut appearance at the Butlins Mineworkers Championship in Skegness earlier this year.

Meanwhile, a little closer to home, Scotsman John Anderson joins on solo trombone. A worldwide musical traveler, John has played with Buckhaven Town in his home country, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, a local brass band in Gibralter and for the last 13 years with VBS Poynton.

He told 4BR: "I'm very happy to be working under the direction of Mareika Gray, and I’m looking forward to playing in the heat of battle at the upcoming contests with a band that is really going places."

Excited

The solo baritone position has been filled by Gareth Nelson, who moves down from Morecombe, whilst Dave Hamilton comes in on solo BBb tuba following his move to study at the RNCM in Manchester.

He told 4BR: "I'm very excited to have joined a band with bags of potential and I'm looking forward to my contest debut with the band at Wychavon."

We have been building on confidence and strength over the last couple of years and these signings show that we aim to build on thatMD, Marieka Gray

Quality

Eccles MD Marieka Gray also told 4BR that she was delighted that the band had been able to attract players of quality to the ambitious Second Section outfit.

"We have been building on confidence and strength over the last couple of years and these signings show that we aim to build on that.

We have given all four a warm welcome and I look forward to working with them in the future."