It's with a heavy heart that the band has to announce the recent departure of its Principal Cornet Player, Alex Parker.
Alex joined in 2015 from his hometown band Gwaun Cae Gurwen Band, and since then has gone on to flourish in the "end chair" with some superb solo performances at events - including several Welsh Regional Championships in Section 1 (which the band won in 2020), the televised S4C Band Cymru competition, the Welsh Open Brass Band Entertainment Championship, the British Open Spring Festival, as well as leading the band at concerts & the band's ten-piece ensemble "That's Brass" at functions. Alex's performances have been a consistently high level during his time with the band, and he has led the cornet section with quiet authority.
However - and more importantly - he has been one of the most committed bandspeople since he joined eight years ago, hardly missing a rehearsal or a public performance - which is even more remarkable, considering the near 100-mile & 2-hour round trip from his home in Pontardawe (West Wales)!
A special mention must also go to his wife Hannah, who has been our No. 1 "dep" for most of this time too. She has given so much of her time freely to the band, whilst balancing this with her work commitments & her position as Principal Cornet at GCG.
The band was delighted to feature at both Alex's proposal to Hannah in 2016, as well as the subsequent wedding at the beautiful Norton House Hotel last summer.
Commenting on their departure, Alex said: "I’d like to thank BTM for the opportunity they gave me 8 years ago to lead a fantastic cornet section. Unfortunately, due to family commitments I no longer have the time to commit 100% to the band. I wish BTM all the best for the upcoming Welsh Open and Regional competitions, and we hope you get that well-deserved promotion. I consider them all family at BTM, and will be popping in to see them whenever time allows. I’m going to miss everyone, it’s been a big part of my life"!
Jeff Hutcherson (MD of The BTM Brass Band) who initially brought Alex to the band from GCG, commented: "Alex has been a superb leader at BTM over the last 9 years. Whatever I have asked he has given 100%, and has been a soloist that I could always rely on. Hannah has also always been there for us as a extremely committed and reliable dep, helping out at virtually every BTM performance. I am personally sad to see this period come to an end, but Alex & Hannah I couldn't have asked any more of you both. Proper bandspeople: many thanks".
An announcement regarding Alex's successor as Principal Cornet will be published imminently.
13 January 2023
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