4BR has been informed that James Gourlay is to leave his post as Director of Music at Grimethorpe Colliery Band to take up the position as Music Director of Pittsburgh’s River City Brass Band.

Full time

The River City Brass Band is one of the world’s few full-time professional brass ensembles and it has chosen James, from an international field of candidates.

Process

An innovative selection process saw not only the RCBB players voting for their new Maestro, but also audiences in nine cities across the state of Pennsylvania. It seems that Gourlay’s brand of zany humour combined with very high musical standards won the day, audiences describing him as a ‘world class entertainer’.

I'm delighted to be chosen as the RCBB’s new Director, but will miss my friends at Grimethorpe, with whom I've enjoyed a number of fantastic concerts during the last eighteen monthsJames Gourlay

Fantastic job

Grimethorpe Band Manager, Terry Webster told 4BR: "Jim has done a fantastic job, both in the band room and on the concert stage. We will be sorry to lose him, but we all wish him well in America."

Miss friends

James told 4BR: "I'm delighted to be chosen as the RCBB’s new Director, but will miss my friends at Grimethorpe, with whom I've enjoyed a number of fantastic concerts during the last eighteen months."

His last concerts as the band’s MD will be in August, when he will take the band to Switzerland on a joint tour with the Swiss Army Brass Band. It is however hoped that he will be able to appear from time to time as a welcome guest.