Coleshill Town Band has announced the appointment of Richard Dickins as its new Musical Director.

Richard (above) will continue the development of the band following the decision of MD Stephen Fagg to step down after 20 years at the helm. Stephen will maintain involvement with the Youth sections of the organisation.

Impressive biog

Richard has an impressive biography — joining the City of Coventry Band where his first contest was the British Open win in 1981.

He later moved to the highly successful Jones & Crossland Band and was instrumental in forming the Heart of England Band in 1987. After studying at the Royal College of Music in London he worked with numerous orchestras and ensembles including the Royal Philharmonic, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and BBC Big Band.

He was the tuba player with the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Barbican Centre in London for over a decade.

The band has a long history and I look forward to helping build a vibrant ensemble with a balance of youth and experience that should create a real musical force!Richard Dickins

Looking forward

Richard told 4BR: "I'm looking forward to a long and prosperous relationship with Coleshill.

Such an exciting aspect is its thriving youth set up which I believe offers a very healthy future. The band has a long history and I look forward to helping build a vibrant ensemble with a balance of youth and experience that should create a real musical force!"