The Forest of Dean Band has announced the appointment of Chris Howley as their new Musical Director.

Highly respected

One of the most highly respected top section principal cornet players, Chris has performed with many of the UKs leading Championship Section outfits, including a distinguished tenure at Flowers as well as top man ‘dep’ appearances with the likes of Grimethorpe, Fairey, BTM and Tongwynlais.

Chris has also played with Cory, Leyland and Tredegar and has benefited from working under the likes of Dr Roy Newsome, James Watson, Major Peter Parkes, Garry Cutt and Philip Harper.

Delighted

He told 4BR that he was delighted to have been appointed with the enthusiastic and ambitious First Section West of England band.

"Our first official outing together will be at the Gloucestershire BBA contest where we have chosen ‘The Year of the Dragon’," he said.

"It shows the band’s ambition to improve and they have grafted really hard to deliver a cracking performance on the piece."

Our first official outing together will be at the Gloucestershire BBA contest where we have chosen ‘The Year of the Dragon’Chris Howley

Cory television

Chris is also working alongside Philip Harper and the Cory Band in producing a series of documentary style videos about the Welsh band which can be viewed on the Cory TV channel.