Grimethorpe Colliery Band has renewed it musical links to award winning composer Nigel Clarke, with the announcement that he will become their 'International Composer in Association'.

Closer musical relationship

Principal cornet Roger Webster confirmed that the Yorkshire band is planning to forge a closer musical relationship with Nigel over the next few years, and follows from their acclaimed premiere of his composition `Further Adventures of the Same' at the 2016 RNCM Festival of Brass. It is understood a number of new projects are already being discussed.

I hope to encourage a new generation of composers and audiences to subscribe to this extraordinary group of musicians and I'm looking forward to writing for them once moreNigel Clarke

Increase profile

Meanwhile, the composer told 4BR: "From a young age, I became aware of the Grimethorpe Band through the new compositions they performed under the baton of Elgar Howarth. I'm proud to continue my relationship with them and will seek to help the band increase its profile outside the brass band world."

He added: "I hope to encourage a new generation of composers and audiences to subscribe to this extraordinary group of musicians and I'm looking forward to writing for them once more."