Paul Lovatt-Cooper will be swapping his percussion sticks for the MDs baton as he looks forward to conducting Brighouse & Rastrick in two forthcoming high profile concerts.

It’s a welcome return to the front of the band for the popular Black Dyke star, who has been enjoying himself of late hidden away amongst the Queensbury percussion section as they claimed the 2014 ‘Double’.

Too good to miss

Getting the chance to conduct their great rivals once more though was a wonderful opportunity too good to miss as he told 4BR: “I'm very excited to be conducting Brighouse & Rastrick again. I worked with the band some years ago preparing them for Brass in Concert with Richard Evans.

They are a fantastic group of musicians with wonderful soloists, so you can see why I’m excited by leading them in what promises to be two great concert events.”

Where and when

Paul lead the West Riding band in a joint concert at the Riverside Civic Hall, Whitworth, alongside the Whitworth Vale & Healey on Saturday 22nd November 7:30pm, whilst his second appearance will be at Brighouse & Rastrick’s Christmas Extravaganza concert in Ilkley at the Kings Hall on the 7th December at 3.00pm.

Not surprisingly, Paul has ensured that there will be the usual mix of high class soloists and popular concert entertainment fayre.

“Brighouse are such a great concert band, with all the talents to entertain — so that’s what I will be hoping to do with them.”

Welcome to West Riding

Meanwhile, Brighouse & Rastrick Band President, Paul Beaumont was delighted to welcome Paul to the band. “His flair for music-making and experience in a wide range of performance styles, dynamic compositions and musical arrangements, and his indelible rapport he establishes with audiences makes Paul a very worthy guest conductor with the band.

Everyone is looking forward to two great concerts — they are not to be missed.”

Brighouse are such a great concert band, with all the talents to entertain — so that’s what I will be hoping to do with themPaul Lovatt-Cooper

Tickets

Tickets for the Riverside Civic Hall, Whitworth are priced at £12.50 and are available from brighouseandrastrick.ticketsource.co.uk or from the Riverside direct on 01706 854130

Tickets for the Christmas Concert are available from Ilkley tourist information on 01943 602319 or from brighouseandrastrick.ticketsource.co.uk and are priced at £13.50 — £16.50.