Brighouse & Rastrick has announced that David Thornton will become the West Riding band's new Musical Director.

It will mean a return to Yorkshire for the virtuoso performer who played solo euphonium with them prior to his move to Foden's in July 2015.

He will now relinquish that role to take on his new post from the beginning of 2017, and will conduct the band in a busy calendar year of concerts and recordings, as well as preparing them before the contest arrival of Professional Conductor Prof David King.

Delighted

David told 4BR: "I'm delighted at the prospect of taking on the role of Musical Director. It's exciting and rather daunting: The responsibility of maintaining the quality of 135 year's of history is a big job, but with the ability and musical spirit of the current players, I'm confident that this next period will be successful both on the contest and concert stage.

It's also a real pleasure to be working with Prof David King again: He's been a direct influence on my own career and his addictive brand of music making is fantastic to be part of."

Foden's thanks

David also took time to thank Foden's for the enjoyable and successful period he enjoyed at the Sandbach band.

"My thanks go to Foden's. It certainly wasn't my intention to make my stint as their solo euphonium so short. 16 months is no time at all, but opportunities must be taken when they arise.

Foden's have a quite incredible infrastructure: It's a working model for any band to follow and I have admired everything they achieve, especially through new music commissions and their education initiatives."

It's also a real pleasure to be working with Prof David King again: He's been a direct influence on my own career and his addictive brand of music making is fantastic to be part ofDavid Thornton

Happy Brighouse

A happy Brighouse & Rastrick spokesman Ryan Watkins told 4BR: "To say we are delighted to have acquired the professional services of David is something of an understatement.

His previous experience in the role with us was extremely impressive, so to see him back with us again on a full time basis is a huge coup. He is such a gifted musician."