*
banner

Lights out for Eddison at Otley

Gordon Eddison steps down as the leading light at Otley Brass.

Gordon Eddison
 

After conducting Otley Brass for the past five years, Gordon Eddison is stepping down to concentrate on his freelance conducting and teaching career. Gordon will also be devoting more of his time to nurturing Wharfe Brass, the development band of the Otley Band organisation.

Grown

Wharfe Brass has grown over the past three years from a nucleus of nine players to a current strength of fifty-five, with players ranging in age from 9 to very nearly 90!!

Gordon’s last engagement with Otley will be at the Wharfedale Music Festival in the King’s Hall, Ilkley in May. The band also hopes its latest CD recording will be released about that time.

Special band

Gordon told 4BR: "I’ve had so much fun and performed great music with Otley over these last few years. They are a very special band and completely unique.

Where many bands across the country are struggling to attract players, we have a main band of nearly forty with very few empty seats and has a great following that regularly plays to full houses. The band has also enjoyed a great deal of contest success too.”

Develop

He added: "I hope to be able to take up some of the opportunities for freelance conducting that I have had to decline recently. My teaching life is changing too so this move should allow that to develop also."

Look forward

Band Chairman, Stuart Warriner, added: "All the band really wants to thank Gordon for all of his hard work over the last 5 years. His boundless energy and enthusiasm has been inspirational and we share many happy memories of the musical adventures together.

We look forward to continuing to work with Gordon as part of the successful Wharfe Brass initiative which is securing the future of brass playing in the Wharfe valley."

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    


Radio

Radio: Touch of Brass

June 9 • Join presenter Martin Upfold for more great brass band music over the airwaves


Black Dyke

Black Dyke feature in Bradford cultural celebration

June 8 • The Queensbury Band has been featured in a BBC 'Travel Show' programme that celebrates the rejuvenation of Bradford as the 2025 UK City of Culture.


Elgar festival of brass

Top trio attracts audiences to Malvern

June 7 • There are still tickets left if you want to enjoy Cory, Black Dyke and Foden's in performance in Malvern


Perth

Entries now open for Scottish Festival of Brass brace

June 7 • Bands can now enter the popular Band Supplies Scottish Challenge Shield and Scottish Open sponsored by Besson.


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 13 June • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Hebden Bridge Brass Band - The 13th annual Hebden Bridge March Contest

Sunday 15 June • St George's Square, Hebden Bridge HX7 8ET


The Portsmouth Grammar School - Concert by The Black Dyke Band

Saturday 28 June • St Marys Church, Fratton, Portsmouth PO15PA PO15PA


Petworth Town Band - Fete in the Park with Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Grounds of Petworth Park GU28 9LR


Petworth Town Band - Farnham Brass Band and Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Farnham Carnival


Rushden Town Band

June 8 • 2nd Trombone - come and join our amazing trombone section in Rushden Town Band. A varied engagement schedule as well as a tour every other year.


Rushden Town Band

June 8 • B flat bass position for this fun-loving, 1st Section East Midlands band. Varied engagement schedule including a tour every other year.


Chinnor Silver

June 7 • Our Community Band is meeting on Monday {9th} and would welcome anyone who fancies an extra friendly rehearsal,with coffee and cake involved.. We rehearse in our bandroom at 11am its free and it open to all abilities.. No commitment required.


Alan Fernie

DRSAM, Dip.NCOS
Arranger, composer, adjudicator, conductor


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd