Brighouse & Rastrick has announced that they have entered into an innovative partnership with the Oldham Music Centre Youth Band, which they believe will be mutually beneficial to both organisations.

New venture

The new venture will include joint concerts held on a regular basis, the first of which will be on July 10th at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in Oldham.

The event will also include an afternoon rehearsal session when Brighouse & Rastrick will provide principal players to tutor the youngsters, whilst the West Riding band will also work closely with Oldham in their preparations for contest appearances.

Further help

With further help in organising and promoting a joint Christmas event, tuition and guest soloists, and the opportunity to perform with Brighouse at other events, it signals the start of an exciting collaborative according to Band Manager Alan Morrison.

"We're delighted to team up with Oldham Music Centre. I've heard their Youth Band on many occasions and they are already playing at a high standard — one we hope we can help improve and develop further together.

It's very important that adult bands offer assistance and encouragement to up and coming brass players. We've been looking for an opportunity such as this for some time and look forward to this new relationship."

It's very important that adult bands offer assistance and encouragement to up and coming brass players. We've been looking for an opportunity such as this for some time and look forward to this new relationshipAlan Morrison

Positive response

Oldham Music Centre Youth conductor Jonathan Leedale added: "I approached Brighouse & Rastrick in February and suggested that they might like to consider working with us as a partner.

I was delighted with their positive response and an agreement was reached very quickly. This is fantastic news for our young brass players and I am thrilled to be involved with such an iconic band."