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Backworth Colliery Band is pleased to announce the appointment of Tony Griffiths as Resident Musical Director.

Tony has been a frequent guest conductor with the band over recent years, and we know he will continue the band’s tradition of development and take us forward from the successes we achieved at DCBBA and Butlins in 2008/9.

Tony offers extensive experience as a player, band trainer, and conductor, and we look forward to a rewarding and enjoyable partnership.

We can also confirm that Duncan Beckley has been engaged as Professional Conductor for 2010 Butlins contest and 2010 Area contests. Tony will conduct the Borders Entertainment Contest and Durham League this autumn, and work with Duncan to prepare for 2010.

The Band completed a very busy few days with 3 concerts in 4 days – 6th August at Dalston Summer Fayre, 8th August on the Road March for Hartlepool Headland Carnival, and yesterday the 9th August at Saltwell Park in front of several hundred keen picnickers and brass band afficionados.

The Band gave a very polished evening performance at Dalston, its second year at the Fayre, this time under the expert baton of guest conductor Graeme Tindall. Graeme, resident conductor of Championship section Felling Band, very kindly took the band in rehearsal and for the Dalston concert and was measurably pleased with the results achieved, notably the band’s evident improvement and the development of the younger players. The evening also featured legendary guest percussionist and memory man Bob Stephenson - the band’s very own Gene Kelly – thrilling audience and band alike in his unique interpretation of “Singing in the Rain”. Our thanks to Graeme and Bob.

Saturday saw the Band take part in the Hartlepool Carnival procession, playing on the march over the Headland’s one and half mile route. A testing engagement, given the distance and localised heatwave, but the Band lived up to its “any weather, any distance” reputation and the roar of the cheering crowds more than made up for blisters and sore shoulders as the Band blew through the march pad.

We’re now looking forward to our next engagements – at Hexham Bandstand on 15th, Walkworth Show on 22nd, and back to Saltwell Park Bandstand on Sunday 23rd August.