Stockport Silver Band and MD Alex Parker have ended their musical partnership with immediate effect.

The band returned to the contesting scene in February 2016, but unfortunately has seen a drastic reduction in player numbers in recent months.

The committee has decided to make the shift to revert to a non-contesting band for at least the next 12 months while player numbers recover, and will take a different creative direction.

Mixed emotions

Alex Parker told 4BR: "It's with mixed emotions that I'm moving on. I've had some fantastic experiences with the band and I hope they have likewise. I leave them as friends and I wish them luck in the direction they have chosen to go."

They know how to get hold of me when they need a hand. There's definitely a place for bands to focus on non-competitive performance and I hope they make a success of itAlex Parker

Focus

He added: "They know how to get hold of me when they need a hand. There's definitely a place for bands to focus on non-competitive performance and I hope they make a success of it.

This also leaves me more time to focus on my own development as a conductor as I strive to take myself to a higher level too."