The City of Chester Band has announced that Ewan Easton OBE, Principal Tuba with the Halle Orchestra, has agreed to work with them as Musical Director.

Blackpool

Ewan is currently preparing the band for their appearance in the Second Section at the North West Regional Championship in Blackpool.

The renowned tuba star has gained a worldwide reputation both as a player and educator — being a pioneer of Hallé4Brass, in which musicians from the orchestra offer youngsters in the last two years of their sentence at Thorn Cross Young Offenders Institute the opportunity to learn to read and play music.

Looking forward

Ewan has worked with brass bands at many different levels — from youngsters in Northern Ireland to Brighouse & Rastrick, and told 4BR that he is now looking forward to working with the City of Chester Training Band in encouraging people of all ages to play a brass instrument.

Work commitments may preclude Ewan from wielding the baton in Blackpool, but regardless of who takes us on the day, we are determined to play with his directions and advice fully in our thoughtsCity of Chester

Keep in mind

A band spokesperson said: "Work commitments leading up to the contest may preclude Ewan from wielding the baton in Blackpool, but regardless of who takes us on the day, we are determined to play with his directions and advice fully in our thoughts."