Unite the Union Band has offered a warm welcome to a brace of talented young players who have joined their cornet ranks ahead of the forthcoming Yorkshire Regional Championships.

Students Chris Oddy and Jessica McInnes will look forward to the 'High Peak' challenge at Huddersfield Town in March, on 'bumper-up' on second cornet respectively.

National Youth Band

Chris has recently moved to Sheffield to start a Civil Engineering Degree at Sheffield University and is a former member of both the National Childrens' and National Youth Bands of Great Britain.

He has most recently played principal cornet with Brass Band of Central England.

Speaking about the move he said: "I'm really pleased and look forward to working with MD Jonathan Beatty and the band. I would also like to express my gratitude to Brass Band of Central England for being so supportive and accommodating to me during my time with them."

Solo winner

Jess grew up in Suffolk, joining Castleton Brass. She is a former winner of the under18 East Anglian Solo Championship and was principal trumpet of the Suffolk Youth Orchestra.

Now studying Music Performance at The University of Huddersfield, she said: "I'm delighted to join Unite and am really looking forward to my future with them."

We now have a wealth of youth and experience across all sections of the band, with both Chris and Jess adding something special to the cornet sectionMD, Jonathan Beatty

Something special

Speaking about the new addition, MD, Jonathan Beatty added: "We now have a wealth of youth and experience across all sections of the band, with both Chris and Jess adding something special to the cornet section".

Before the band's Yorkshire Regional appearance, they will have an early season runout at the NEMBBA Contest on 18th February.