The Staffordshire Band have announced the appointment of Huw Thomas as Musical Director with immediate effect.

No surprise

Huw has been working with the band for the past month, culminating in their recent 4th place at the Harry and Margaret Mortimer Championships at Pontins, so it comes as no surprise that the arrangement has become permanent.

Thrilled

With an extensive background in brass banding, Huw recently made his orchestral conducting debut with the Sinfonia Tamesa in London. As an MA music student at Durham University, he enjoys studying with Ray Farr and until recently was the MD of Pennine Brass.

Huw told 4BR: "I'm thrilled to be working with the Staffordshire Band, as they are an extremely committed and professional outfit with a strong desire to succeed."

I'm thrilled to be working with the Staffordshire Band, as they are an extremely committed and professional outfit with a strong desire to succeedHuw Thomas

Ambitious

Commenting about the appointment, Chairman Shaun Elliott told 4BR: "Once again we have been fortunate to gain the services of a young, ambitious and very highly regarded conductor in Huw Thomas, who brings, along with his natural enthusiasm, an enormous amount of experience in brass bands at the highest level.

Enjoyed

"We really enjoyed working with Huw in the preparation for the Pontins Contest and it culminated in a very, very fine performance which we were delighted about, allbeit tinged with a bit of disappointment that we didn't get higher!"

Shaun concluded: "I am sure that Huw will make a huge difference to the Band, as we believe that the trials and tribulations of this year are now behind us and look forward to getting back and past our previous levels."