Lydbrook Band has announced the appointment of Colonel David Barringer MVO MBE as its new Professional Conductor.

It marks a permanent return to competitive banding as he prepares to conclude a distinguished 37-year career in British Army Music.

That has seen him placed at the centre of some of the most significant national occasions, including the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Energised

Speaking about the appointment he said: "This opportunity to become properly involved in banding again feels both exciting and very natural. I feel energised, ambitious and perhaps better equipped than I have ever been to explore what I can achieve as a conductor."

Over the past year or so he has worked as Guest Conductor with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, been Course Director of a hugely successful International Brass Band Summer School and led Lydbrook at contests.

Return

His appointment now marks a return to the weekly rehearsal room, as he added: "What attracted me to Lydbrook was that I immediately recognised a group of people with whom I wanted to do that.

The band wants to develop, challenge itself and it has aspirations to compete successfully at Championship Section level. That combination of people, values and ambition is incredibly attractive to me. I'm enormously excited to be back — and particularly excited about what we can achieve together at Lydbrook."

It will be a great to have David in our band room working with us on concert and contest music during the coming months. This a long-term project for the bandLydbrook Band

Ambition

In response, Band Secretary, Robert Morgan added: "It will be a great to have David in our band room working with us on concert and contest music during the coming months. This a long-term project for the band.

Our ambition is to compete at the highest level in the championship section and it's encouraging that David has recognised what we have here in Lydbrook."