The South Yorkshire Police Band is looking forward to the rest of 2019 and after winning the Second Section Yorkshire Regional title in Huddersfield earlier this month under the baton of Leigh Baker.

Confident and astute

That "confident and musically astute"performance of Darrol Barry's 'Rise of the Phoenix', not only means they will head to the National Final in Cheltenham in September in what is their 40th anniversary year, but has also gained them promotion to the First Section in 2020.

Further boosts have already come in 2019 with the new signings of principal cornet Andy Abel, who took the 'Best Instrumentalist' accolade in that Area title win, as well as fellow front row cornet players Lewis Shaw and Julie Rowe.

That "confident and musically astute" performance of 'Rise of the Phoenix', not only means they will head to the National Final in Cheltenham in what is their 40th anniversary year, but has also gained them promotion to the First Section in 20204BR

Returning

The experienced Dave Buckley has taken the solo euphonium seat, with Alan Rowe and Ian Ravenscroft adding to the foundation on EEb and BBb tuba respectively.

In addition, Sue Pickles, Sophie Anderson, Tanelli Clarke and Charlotte Green returned for the Area victory, alongside Andy Grantham and Daniel Wrigglesworth, although the band was sad to lose percussionist, Michael Farthing, who joined Grimethorpe Colliery.