The Aldbourne Band has announced that they will link up with two of the most exciting conducting talents in European banding for their forthcoming appearances at the British Open and National Finals.

Belgian for Open

With resident conductor Glyn Williams playing for Cory at both events, the West of England band will be led by Belgian conductor Ivan Meylemans at Symphony Hall, with City of Bradford MD, Lee Skipsey taking the reins at the Royal Albert Hall.

Ivan Meylemans has worked with many of Europe's leading professional orchestras and brass bands, with the renowned conductor Bernard Haitink stating after he had worked alongside him that he was impressed by his "natural authority and clarity of his musical ideas".

He led the 2018 European Youth Brass Band as well as working with the likes of Valaisia Brass Band and Brass Band Schoonhoven in recent years.

Skipsey for London

Lee Skipsey meanwhile is a familiar figure in the UK banding movement, and the inspirational lead behind the remarkable rise of the City of Bradford and BD1 Bands in Yorkshire. He has also worked with a number of other bands, including successful links with the likes of Whitburn and Newtongrange.

We're looking forward to working closely with these two highly respected and charismatic conductorsAldbourne Band

Charismatic

Band Chairman Ian Keene told 4BR: "We're looking forward to working closely with these two highly respected and charismatic conductors and together with our resident conductor Glyn Williams, we believe they will help us continue building on our recent success in these major competitions".