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Sykes takes first beats with the baton

Stephen Sykes has swapped the trombone for the conductor's baton with his appointment as MD of Burnham & Highbridge Band.

Stephen Sykes
 

Burnham & Highbridge Band has announced the appointment of Stephen Sykes as their new Musical Director.

The former principal trombonist of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain has been a brass finalist in the prestigious BBC Young Musician of the Year competition, a British Open Solo Champion and the recipient of the Don Lusher Trombone Prize for Jazz and Commercial Performance.

Demand

He has also been in demand with numerous elite bands, professional ensembles and orchestras and has now embarked on a new addition to his musical CV with this latest appointment.

Having been with us for several weeks, Stephen has enjoyed leading us in two very successful concertsBand spokepserson

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A spokesperson for the band told 4BR: "Having been with us for several weeks, Stephen has enjoyed leading us in two very successful concerts — one to celebrate the band's 70th anniversary and the other a 'Movie Magic' themed concert — both to sold-out audiences."

It is understood that Stephen will work on building on the excellent musical foundation laid down by the band's former conductor, the late David Fisher.

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