After almost three decades at the helm, Chris Wormald has called time on his tenure as an inspirational conductor at Smithills School leading their multi-award winning Senior Brass, Wind, Jazz and Junior band ensembles.

His final bow was taken in an emotional concert in the school which attracted former players from as far away as Canada, USA and Europe, as well as just about every corner of the UK.

Awards and accolades

During his time in charge, over 70 major national and international contests were won, including over fifty with the remarkable Smithills Senior Brass Band.

These included multiple victories at the National Festival of Music for Youth, National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, Tameside Youth and BBC School Band of the Year, with the crowning glory coming at the World Music Championships in Kerkrade in 2005 where they won the Third Division title against adult opposition.

Very top

Chris told 4BR: "All of our bands at Smithills are still at the very top of their game, as they proved once again in this final concert under my direction.

I still have the same enthusiasm, energy and motivation as when I started all of the Smithills bands in 1990, but next month I will be 56 and will have spent 28 wonderful years working at the school each week and 14 every Saturday morning in additional rehearsals.

However, two years ago I retired from being an Assistant Head, and with professional conducting opportunities to take up in the USA and so many other exciting playing offers and arranging projects in the pipeline, it's the right time to hand over the reins."

I'm hugely proud of everything we achieved at Smithills and especially in helping to inspire so many youngsters to enjoy a life-long love of music makingChris Wormald

Tours

In addition to the numerous contest successes, Chris led Smithills on ground-breaking tours to the USA, Japan and New Zealand, as well as throughout Europe, whilst they were three times voted 4BR Youth/Lower Section Band of the Year.

They have also performed in many of the world's most famous concert venues, recorded a number of acclaimed CDs and have given over 700 concerts together.

Chris added: "I'm hugely proud of everything we achieved at Smithills and especially in helping to inspire so many youngsters to enjoy a life-long love of music making."