Saddleworth's Phil Beck is celebrating ten years of promoting top quality brass in 2008.

Just champion

It was back in the late 90s that Phil Beck, realised that whilst brass bands were regularly performing in the local bands and in Saddleworth's Uppermill Civic Hall, that the opportunity was there to promote regular concerts with the top bands.

Speaking with 4BR, Phil said 'The people of Saddleworth love brass bands and every concert that takes place attracts a large audience. Working with some of the world's top bands, I encouraged them to come to Saddleworth, the heart of banding and Whit Friday and put on a concert and see what response they got — ten years on, they've kept coming back'.

Entertain

One of the reasons I keep promoting the concerts is the smiles on people's faces with the question 'When is the band we've just listened too coming back?Phil Beck

Having set up, Champion Brass, Phil believe's one of the keys to the success of his concerts has been a very simple directive to the bands, come and entertain!

Phil went on, 'Most of my concerts take place on a Saturday evening and i've always held the belief that when people go out on a Saturday night to a brass band concert, they want to be entertained. Serious music like down at the RNCM last weekend is an integral part of our movement, but there is also a time and place for it as well; you can educate people musically, but one of the reasons I keep promoting the concerts is the smiles on people's faces with the question 'When is the band we've just listened too coming back?'.

Dyke to Gothenberg

Phil looks back over the past decade and admits to being thrilled at the bands who he has promoted concerts for in Saddleworth and now, throughout the North West. 'I feel very honoured that the best in the business have been to Uppermill and now at other venues. What a thrill to have Black Dyke, Brighouse, Grimethorpe, Faireys, Fodens, YBS and Eikanger whilst last year Gothenberg played their last ever concert just before the Europeans at Uppermill Civic Hall'.

Whit Friday experience

By gaining a reputation for quality, Phil is now in demand to host bands on Whit Friday and over the Whit weekend. 'People come from everywhere to the Whit Friday marches and bands regularly approach me from the Channel Islands, Switzerland and Norway and say 'Can you sort everything out for our trip from hotels to taking us round the contesting circuit on the night and a number of bands now participate in the Whit Marches on Whit Friday morning. I just do what they ask me to do and they go home happy and intent on coming back'.

Big guns in 2008

So what does the tenth anniversary of Phil Beck's Champion Brass have in store for 2008? 'It's more of the same' says Phil 'there's Faireys, Black Dyke and Brighouse lined up for a start and its a case of watch this space'.

Anyone interested in hosting a concert with Phil Beck or requiring details of this years concerts, should speak to Phil on 01457 872459 or 07976 165815.