*
banner

Quintet of leading players leave Fairey following Cutt departure

Collective decision sees five leading solo players resign from Fairey Band following the departure of Garry Cutt as Musical Director.

Fairey Band
  Five leading players have resigned from the North West band

4BR has been informed that following the resignation of Garry Cutt as Musical Director of the Fairey Band, five leading solo players have also resigned.

It is understood that principal cornet Stephanie Wilkins; solo euphonium Steve Walsh; flugel horn Lucy Cutt; soprano cornet Martin Irwin and solo horn Rachel Neil have all relinquished their positions.

Collective decision

In a collective statement issued exclusively to 4BR they state: "As the principal players we reached a collective decision for several reasons, not least because of our support for Garry.

The fundamental issues which had been raised over a prolonged period of time were stopping the band from reaching its full potential.

Unfortunately, without all of the team working harmoniously together, we felt that sustained long term excellence in concert and contest performances would not be realised unless Garry's concerns were acted upon by the band as a whole."

Unfortunately, without all of the team working harmoniously together, we felt that sustained long term excellence in concert and contest performances would not be realised unless Garry's concerns were acted upon by the band as a wholeplayer statement

Responsibility

They added: "As the principal players we felt that leading up to the North West Regional Championships that the band was in the strongest position it had been in for a number of years to challenge for the major Championship titles.

We fully believe that the responsibility for success lies with each other as a band. Unfortunately, this was something not shared by the whole team and our decision was unfortunately inevitable."

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


nybbgb

Celebration theme for National Youth Band concert in London

July 9 • The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain will be in musical celebration mode for their Summer Concert in London next month.


ai rOBOT

Artists combine with AI to win composition prize

July 9 • AI technology fuses with the 'human essence' to create award winning compositions in global competition.


pRESTOCDS

Presto Music Collection: Six more classic CDs

July 8 • You can continue to build your classic brass collection of CDs with 4BR's partnership with Presto Music.


Youth Fest

Brass sounds fill the air at Youth Fest in Barnet

July 8 • BBE's 'Brass Fest' event saw over 200 young players provide fantastic entertainment and great music making in Barnet.


Longridge Band - Anniversary Concert

Saturday 12 July • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


Haverhill Silver Band - Proms Concert - St Ives

Saturday 12 July • Hill Rise Park, St Ives PE27 6SP


The Hepworth Band - A Summer Proms Concert

Sunday 20 July • Hepworth United Sports Club, Far Lane, Hepworth, Holmfirth. HD9 1RN


Petworth Town Band - Ebernoe Horn Fair

Friday 25 July • Ebernoe Cricket Ground GU28 9LD


Petworth Town Band - Dorset House School Fete

Saturday 26 July • Dorset House School RH20 1PB


Ilkeston Brass

July 11 • We are looking for additional cornet players to join us – positions negotiable! Ilkeston Brass is a friendly 4th section band with a long history based in the SE of Derbyshire.


Olney Brass

July 11 • OLNEY BRASS currently seeking a talented player to fill the following vacancy, in order to strengthen their line up: Eb BASS. We're an ambitious and friendly 2nd section band, with a variety of contests, concerts & community events annually.


Olney Brass

July 10 • OLNEY BRASS currently seeking talented players to fill the following vacancies, in order to strengthen their line up: SOLO CORNETS. We're an ambitious and friendly 2nd section band, with a variety of contests, concerts & community events annually.


David A. Stowell


Conductor and composer


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd