*
banner

Groarke-Booth tenure at Rainford reaches end

After six impressive years the musical partnership between Rainford Band and Sarah Groarke-Booth has come to an end.

Groarke-Booth
  The partnership brought top flight stability and success to Rainford Band

4BR has been informed that the musical partnership between Rainford Band and Sarah Groarke-Booth has come to an end after six-year due to the extensive travelling involved.

During her tenure the band has remained in the Championship Section, securing an extensive list of impressive results at regional and national level events. These included podium finishes at the North West Regional Championship and the Scottish Open.

Fruitful

Speaking about her decision, Sarah said: "After a period of six fruitful and thoroughly enjoyable years of musical collaboration, it's time to part company with this fabulous ensemble.

It has been my privilege and joy to be associated with Rainford Band over the years — which included the very difficult time of Covid restrictions. We have entertained audiences and produced musically satisfying contest performances over the years.

She added: "The distance to the bandroom has become too much of a challenge in recent months and unfortunately it is time to move on. I wish the band all the very best for the future"

Thank

In response, a spokesperson for the band stated: "We would like to thank Sarah from the bottom of our hearts for all the effort she has put in over the past six years.

The atmosphere in the bandroom has been amazing since she was appointed; mainly owing to her extremely positive attitude and her enthusiastic approach to life."

We wish Sarah all the best in her future endeavours, and although we are sad she is moving on, she goes knowing that she has had a positive impact on the bandRainford Band

All the best

They added: "Sarah has led many great performances, on both the contest and concert stage, leading many sold out performances.

We wish Sarah all the best in her future endeavours, and although we are sad she is moving on, she goes knowing that she has had a positive impact on the band."

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Foden's Band

Report & Result: 2026 British Open Championship

September 12 • Foden's led by Russell Gray claim the 172nd British Open with music making of the richest emotion.


4BR Review — Episode 21

September 11 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas look forward to the 172nd British Open Championship in Birmingham on the weekend.


Dobson

Dobson enjoying his latest Dopamine hit...

September 11 • The Cornish composer continues to make his mark on the wider musical world with his latest album already becoming a hit in more ways than one...


British Open

British Open Countdown: T minus 1

September 11 • All the bands are now heading to Birmingham with all their prep done and dusted on 'Music of the Spheres'.


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 13 September • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 17 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Duchess of Edinburgh String Orchestra

Friday 18 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Irish Guards

Thursday 1 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Eagle Brass

Thursday 1 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Chinnor Silver

September 13 • Required: An Assistant Principal Cornet. A rare opportunity exists to join our Solo cornet bench and fill this crucial seat. We are an ambitious and friendly 1st section band who rehearse in our own bandroom in Chinnor on Wednesday evenings.


Tintwistle Band

September 12 • We are looking for a repiano cornet player to help complete the team.. We are a second section band and rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, performing a variety of concerts all year round.


Tintwistle Band

September 11 • We have a vacancy for soprano cornet, and with lots of exciting engagements coming up we would love to get this seat filled! . As a second section band, we rehearse every Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom in Tintwistle.


Andreas Kratz

Mus.B (hons)
Conductor, Adjudicator, Teacher


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd