Blackburn and Darwen Band has announced three new signings.

Tom Johnson joins on soprano, his son Rob will bolster the front row and Steven Breen has signed on 2nd trombone.

Assistance

The trio recently assisted the band in the Hebden Bridge March and Hymn Contest and their playing was noted by many in the audience, and was an important factor in the success of the band winning 1st prize overall.

We are absolutely delighted. The band is working hard and is very much focused on winning the National Finals in Harrogate. With the news of these three signings, we have taken a step closer to achieving this ambitionTariq Ahmed

Return

Tom returns to the band having first joined in 1982 under Musical Director and friend Gordon Clough. He enjoyed a great deal of success on the contest platform and has many fond memories of this era. The Johnsons are the second father-and-son team in the band, as Principal Cornet player Alan Thomas is the father of Matthew, the band’s young Repiano Cornet player.

Steven Breen, a well know character in the North West banding scene, has lots of experience and completes a super Trombone team.

Step closer

Commenting on the news, band spokesperson Tariq Ahmed told 4BR: "We are absolutely delighted. The band is working hard and is very much focused on winning the National Finals in Harrogate. With the news of these three signings, we have taken a step closer to achieving this ambition."