City of Bradford Band has certainly been busy in the local transfer market and in nurturing the next generation of home grown Yorkshire talent as they look towards the 2017 contest season and beyond.

Experience

New signings to the senior Championship Section outfit include the experienced duo of Claire Westacott and Rebecca Marshall who will take over on first horn and repiano respectively, whilst Tom Birch comes in on the back row from Hepworth.

The tuba section has been boosted by the arrival of Sarah Billard and Jane Andersee from Thoresby, with Trevor Slade, a former professional musician with the likes of the Halle Orchestra coming in on bass trombone. To complete the infusion, Adam Turner comes in on bumper-up euphonium after spells with Skelmanthorpe and Drighlington amongst others.

Youth

However, the band's long term investment in youth and late starters has also seen 10 new players join their Beginner's Group which is run by Claire Skipsey.

Started just two months ago, they now come along every Friday to work on their skills and to perform in front of the players of the BD1 Band which rehearses on the same night.

Eager

City of Bradford MD Lee Skipsey told 4BR: "The new signings have given the senior band an extra level of experience that will be of huge benefit as we compete at the highest level next season. It's great to welcome players all eager to help push the band forward."

It's all about fun and means that City of Bradford is now able to offer something for everyone whatever age and whatever level they want play atLee Skipsey

Families

He added: "Our new Beginner's Group has also been a huge success under Claire's guidance. The youngest is aged just 4 whilst the oldest is 38!

It's been a great way to get families involved — with parents of some of the children who now play in our BD1 Band taking the opportunity to learn a brass instrument for themselves. It's all about fun and means that City of Bradford is now able to offer something for everyone whatever age and whatever level they want play at."

To round things off the band has also released a brand new CD entitled 'Spirit' — which as Lee told 4BR is perhaps the perfect title for what goes on in the City of Bradford organisation.