Recent changes at Catterick Brass certainly paid dividends in the First Section of the North of England Regional Championships in Darlington on the weekend.

Welcomed

The band welcomed experienced conductor David Lancaster to take them to the contest, allowing regular MD Brenden Wheeler to play solo euphonium, following his posting to the Royal Military Academy of Music in Sandhurst.

An entire re-shuffle on the front row saw John Pearson take the principal cornet seat alongside Stevie Craig, Andy Kyle and Nick Burroughs, with James Johnson coming in on flugel Emma Lundberg moving to soprano.

Even with all the changes the band performed superbly to come runner-up to Harrogate and book our place at CheltenhamSpokesperson

Superb

Not only that, but Rob Mee joined on Eb bass and Chris Pritchard on BBb bass, whilst the percussion section was bolstered with the arrival of Lyndon Walker and Chris Clark.

A spokesperson told 4BR: "Even with all the changes the band performed superbly to come runner-up to Harrogate and book our place at Cheltenham."