Soprano star Michelle Ibbottson will play for Rothwell Temperance at the Yorkshire Area in March as cover for Paul Argyle, who is expecting his second child close to that date.

One miss

Paul missed the birth of his first child Harry to play in the band's Masters victory on 'Paganini Variations' a few years ago, so he doesn't want to miss out a second time!

Paul's timing is abysmal, so we are really grateful to MichelleRothwell MD, Dave Roberts

Abysmal timing

Conductor Dave Roberts joked to 4BR: "Paul's timing is abysmal, so we are really grateful to Michelle. Michelle has several friends at the band and worked at the National Youth Band with Dave where they judged the cornet and horn solo championships together a few years ago."