British Open champion Tredegar has announced that trombonist Stephen Sykes will play with the band in the defence of their title at Symphony Hall in Birmingham next month.

Simply superb

"It’s great to have Steve back with us," MD Ian Porthouse told 4BR.

"He was such an integral part in winning the Open with us in 2010 and again 2013, when he was simply superb on ‘Arabian Nights’, that we are delighted to be able to team up with him again."

Commitments

Following that success, Stephen joined Welsh Area champions Tongwynlais Temperance, conducted at the time by his father Steve, where he enjoyed combining his banding with his increasing orchestral commitments.

However, he did not play with the band as they sought their own return to the British Open at this year’s Grand Shield contest.

Excited

"I’m excited to be back with Tredegar," Stephen told 4BR. "They are a brilliant band full of wonderful friends, so to return for the British Open is great. Hopefully we can now go on and claim a third title together."

Busy time

Band Chairman Alwyn Powell told 4BR that the news of Steve’s return comes at a busy time for the Open champion as they prepare for the challenge of ‘Vita Aeterna Variations’.

"The weekend before Birmingham we welcome the Austrian Youth Band to Tredegar, followed by a trip to London to take part in the premiere of the film ‘Pride’ and the eve of British Open concert where we will be providing listeners with the chance to hear Ed de Boer’s superb test piece.

All that and we have just completed further improvements to our bandroom, so anyone who wishes to come along and hear the band in rehearsal for the contest is welcome."

He was such an integral part in winning the Open with us in 2010 and again 2013, when he was simply superb on ‘Arabian Nights’, that we are delighted to be able to team up with him againMD, Ian Porthouse

Tickets:

Tickets (priced £14.95) for the concert, which will take place at the Adrian Boult Hall of Birmingham Conservatoire at 7.30pm on Friday 5th September, are available now fromwww.birmingham-box.co.uk/¬event/¬tredegar-town-band-in-concert/ or by calling the Box Office on 0121 245 4455.