Easington Colliery has announced that the vastly experienced Ian Robinson has agreed to take on the role of Musical Director with the North of England band.

Ian will lead them at their forthcoming appearances at Brass at the Guild, DBBA Festival of Brass and the North of England Area contest in Durham.

Run-outs

A spokesperson told 4BR: "We will use the first two contests as run-outs for 'Pageantry' and to hopefully regain our place in the Senior Trophy contest at the Spring Festival in Blackpool."

Ian is Deputy Head of Durham Music Service, and has previously enjoyed success with the likes of Fishburn and NASUWT Riverside. He told 4BR that he is confident that his success can be repeated with Easington.

"I'm absolutely delighted with the opportunity to return to competitive banding especially with such a famous band as Easington."

Meanwhile, Band Manager Peter Lawson added: "We have been working hard behind the scenes to secure the services of such a successful MD and I believe this is the single most satisfying appointment I have made in my 30 years as Band Manager."

I'm absolutely delighted with the opportunity to return to competitive banding especially with such a famous band as EasingtonIan Robinson

New faces

The band has seen some new faces arriving over the last couple of months with Stuart Cockerill (solo baritone), Kathryn Cockerill (horn), Paul White (solo trombone) have all added their experience to the line-up, whilst the talented young cornet player Sophie Reed has joined on the front row cornet bench.