Fairey Band MD Garry Cutt is looking forward to a hectic few days of brass band music making in May.

Busy weekend

On Friday 20th May, he will lead Fairey in defence of their Saddleworth Whit Friday title, before the following day he takes the baton for a very special concert, when he leads an all-star band of players in a celebration of the musical life of the great Major Peter Parkes.

The concert takes place at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in Oldham at 2.30pm, where Garry will bring the baton down on players from all over the globe as they pay homage to a figure who made a huge impact on the banding world.

Special occasion

"That's going to be some event,"Garry told 4BR. "Whit Friday is always a very special occasion in the banding calendar — especially when you have to lead a band in defence of one of the most hard-fought titles of them all.

Hopefully the weather will be kind to us, the traffic won't be too congested and we get a bit of luck with the judges! All that and then we can relax with two wonderful concerts — ones not to be missed."

Hopefully the weather will be kind to us, the traffic won't be too congested and we get a bit of luck with the judges! All that and then we can relax with two wonderful concerts — ones not to be missedGarry Cutt

Joint concert

On Saturday evening, Garry will lead Fairey in a joint concert with the Windcorp Band from Sweden to be held in his local parish church in Glossop. The band from Gothenberg will also be competing at the Whit Friday contests.