Double National & Yorkshire champion Brighouse & Rastrick has officially announced the signing of soprano star Kevin Crockford ahead of their forthcoming Bradford title defence.

Swift

Brighouse acted swiftly to persuade the multiple award winning player to move to West Riding after he left rivals Grimethorpe.

Kevin commented to 4BR: "I’m so pleased to be joining a band with such a reputation and heritage. The set up at Brighouse with their dedicated committee and patrons is something that other bands can only sit back and admire, and certainly something I have never experienced before."

Honoured

He added: "David King and I go back a long way — we were both in the cornet section at Black Dyke in 1983, so it will be great to work with him again. I’m really looking forward to being a part of some great performances in this great band. Who wouldn’t be honoured to join the double National and Yorkshire Champions?"

The set up at Brighouse with their dedicated committee and patrons is something that other bands can only sit back and admire, and certainly something I have never experienced beforeKevin Crockford

Bumper up

Meanwhile the band has also confirmed the signing of Matthew Gledhill, who returns to the band from Grimethorpe. Matt will play ‘bumper up’ to principal cornet Stuart Lingard.

Band Chairman Dean Redfern, told 4BR: "It’s great to see Matt back. He is a very talented cornet player and, in our opinion the best bumper-up in the business."

Trio complete

To complete the trio of signings, Steven Cavanagh, a highly talented second year student at the RNCM comes in on second baritone.

A previous principal baritone of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, since studying at the RNCM he has ‘depped’ for Faireys, Leyland, Marsden and Hepworth.

Steven added: "I’m honoured to join B&R at such a successful period in their history and I look forward to playing a part in the bands continued success."

Awesome team

Paul Beaumont, President of B&R told 4BR: "We are very pleased to welcome Kevin, Matt and Steven to West Ridings to join the already awesome team.

I’m looking forward to what we hope will be a truly historic year, with 35 quality concerts in the UK and Europe, a continuation of our ground breaking tour with the Unthanks folk group and a number of CD recordings also planned."

Unthanks Award

Paul also confirmed that the band will perform live with the Unthanks at the prestigious Radio 2 Folk Awards at the Lowry Centre next Wednesday. The Unthanks have been nominated for four awards.