Long serving solo baritone player, Leigh Baker, has announced his retirement from Brighouse & Rastrick after clocking up 19 years in the famous purple and gold uniform.

Native

Leigh joined B&R in 1990, having previously played with Melton Borough and Ancient Order of Foresters in his native Leicestershire.

A move to Huddersfield saw Leigh join Jayess Queensbury, before moving to Brighouse on second euphonium. After a brief time on solo euphonium, Leigh eventually settled on solo baritone.

I want to put more time into my family and the busy schedule of band plus other composing and conducting projects make juggling everything very difficultLeigh Baker

Difficult

Leigh told 4BR: "The decision to step down has been very difficult, but it's something I need to do at the minute. I want to put more time into my family and the busy schedule of band plus other composing and conducting projects make juggling everything very difficult."

Leigh added: "I would like to thank the band and numerous conductors over the past 19 years. I have been so lucky to be part of something so special-as a player and as composer/arranger-long may it continue!"

Continue

Leigh will continue composing and arranging and has numerous projects on the go. He is looking forward to developing his conducting work with South Yorkshire Police Band and to implementing new initiatives as Head of Music at Honley High School in Huddersfield.

"I will miss playing to big audiences, winning contests and of course all the fun and banter that goes along with being in a band like B&R. I have made some fantastic friends along the way during my 19 years."

Missed

A Brighouse spokesperson told 4BR: "Leigh will be missed tremendously by the band and audiences alike as a player and a personality but there will be much to look forward to from his pen in the near future."