*
banner

Bakers half dozen at Butlins

Leigh Baker was a busy man at Butlins on the weekend — with plenty of his music on display.

Baker
 

Composer and conductor Leigh Baker was in demand at Butlins this weekend.

Five out of ten

Not only did he conduct the South Yorkshire Police Band into the prizes in the Second section, but also his music was featured by no less than five of the ten Championship Section bands in their entertainment programmes on the Sunday.

There was something old, something new, something borrowed and even something blue in the six pieces featured, much to Leigh’s delight.

Cowboy tuba

Champions Flowers, featured Phil Green on Eb Bass and his unique Western drawl in ‘Play that Country Tuba, Cowboy’, which Leigh specially arranged for him and the band, whilst Redbridge opened up in dramatic style with the biggest drum ever seen in Lincolnshire in his arrangement of ‘Chaos’ from ‘Music for Epcot’.

Lionel Ritchie

Blackburn & Darwen opted to open with the Lionel Ritchie inspired ‘All Night Long’, whilst Thoresby featured Leigh’s lyrical arrangement of the hymn tune ‘Eventide’, before they also used the completely contrasting ‘Saints Fantasy’.

There was something old, something new, something borrowed and even something blue in the six pieces featured, much to Leigh’s delight4BR

Best Soloist

The prestigious ‘Best Soloist’ Award was won in wonderful fashion by Neil Day of EYMS, who chose to perform the atmospheric ‘Y Bore Glas’ (A Blue Mountain)

The arrangement, which Leigh refers to as one of his ‘hidden gems’, features a lone soloist in the first verse, a quartet feature and then full muted band, and was originally written for cornet virtuoso Jim Davies a few years ago.

Grateful

"It was fantastic to hear it again and I’m grateful to Neil and Alan Morrison for including it in their award winning programme," Leigh told 4BR.

He added: "It’s been a great weekend, and what with South Yorkshire Police finishing in the prizes and some of my newer arrangements being released on Saturday at the trade stands, I’m really pleased to have my music performed so well."

More to come

And there is more to come he revealed too: "There’s plenty of new projects on my desk and I’m looking forward to some exciting initiatives this year."

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 C

National Children's Band Summer Course concert to be broadcast

September 10 • You can sit back and enjoy the talents of the National Children's Band of Great Britain as their end of course concert from their recent Summer Course in to be broadcast on YouTube this Friday.


Cheltenham

Runners and riders confirmed for Cheltenham

September 10 • The official list of competing bands and their conductors for the 2025 Cheltenham National Finals has been released by Kapitol Promotions.


Linz

European Soloist Competition open for entries

September 10 • If you want to be crowned the 10th European Solo Champion then you need to submit a video entry to be considered for the trip to Linz in 2026.


Youth Champs

Registration now open for Youth Championships

September 10 • If you are a band or ensemble wishing to take part in a fantastic day of music making in Birmingham next year, then sign up now.


Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Saturday 13 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham GL50 4SH


Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Sunday 14 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham. . *Please note as of 24th August 2023 the date is provisional according to Kapitol Promotions website GL50 4SH


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards Big Band

Friday 26 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Delph Band

September 9 • We are a friendly, hardworking North West 2nd Section band based in Saddleworth. Rehearsal nights are Mondays and Wednesdays, 8-10pm at Delph Band Club. We are currently looking to fill the following positions; Tutti Cornet, Percussion and Eb Bass.


Otley Brass Association

September 7 • Front Row Cornet. -. Otley Brass Band are keen to recruit a 5th member for their front row cornets (position negotiable).. . This is an exciting opportunity to join a thriving band of 30+ players under the leadership of our newly appointed MD, Martyn Beecham


wantage silver band

September 6 • Wantage Band (Championship Section) have vacancies for a Bb BASS PLAYER and THIRD CORNET to complete their line up. Plenty of great concerts from now until Christmas with the Welsh Open, L&SC Area, British Open Grand Shield and Whit Friday in 2026.


Howard J Evans

MA (Dist), Mus.B (hons), ARCM (hons), LRAM, LTCL, PGCE
Conductor, composer, arranger, tutor and pianist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd