Personnel Changes at BTM

The BTM Brass Band has been fortunate to welcome new & returning faces into the bandroom over the last couple of months, as the band looks to strengthen in readiness for its promotion back to the Championship Section next year.

2025 marks ten years since BTM was graded Championship Section nationally, and a core of players has worked hard since then to get this famous Welsh banding name back to the top.

We are happy to officially welcome - and welcome back - a selection of experienced bandspeople to the band:

▪️ Jason Sheppard, a stalwart of BTM from years gone by, has re-joined the band -this time on baritone

◾️ Claire M C Higgins has also returned on Bass Trombone after short spells at Llwydcoed and Markham and District; and has brought her partner Simon along for good measure...

◾️ Simon Lloyd has a wealth of experience at the top level, having previously been Principal BBb Bass of Tredegar Town and part of the British Army, as well as a current Mercer & Barker Ltd Artist

▪️ Sam Hughes also returns to the cornet team after completing his studies at Cardiff University (with Sam also being a very able flugelhorn deputy when required)

Some internal changes have also benefitted the band going forward:

▪️ Owain Hughes has moved seamlessly from Repiano Cornet to the Soprano Cornet seat, and we believe his attitude is a role model for the cornet team and band as a whole

▪️ Key utility player (and BTM Band: Next Generation MD) Lloyd Barnaby now finds himself on Solo Trombone, after a long spell on 2nd Euphonium... and the recent National Finals on BBb Bass!

▪️ Josh Maslen-Lock moves to BBb Bass after stints in the cornet, horn & baritone sections!

All three of the above are strong and experienced players, but more importantly are the true epitome of “bandspeople".

BTM has also been giving two of the current BTM Band: Next Generation players invaluable experience in recent weeks. They've been participating in full-band rehearsals, and recently performed at two public appearances at Gŵyl Newydd & the St David's Hospice Care fundraising concert in Caerphilly. This is another example of BTM‘s long-term sustainable youth policy paying dividends. Indeed, it was only a couple of months ago when our most recent “Next Gen” graduate (Sophie on percussion) performed with the senior band for the first time at a competition… the Sections 1-4 National Finals at Cheltenham Racecourse no less!

Jeff Hutcherson (MD) commented: “Our return to the Championship Section has partially been achieved with a pro-active approach to the generation of new talent through our investment in our youth band set up, and it is always a pleasure to welcome Next Generation players into the full band. Allied to our pool of experienced players around the stands - most of which being long-standing members of the BTM family - the future is bright".

He continues: “To continue our upwards trajectory there are great opportunities for interested players to sit alongside top-class players such as Tim Jones (Principal Euphonium) and Seamus Gallagher (Principal Cornet), as we look to continue building a sustainable project for the future”.

BTM is therefore looking for strong & committed bandspeople to fill two key seats: 2nd Euphonium and cornet (position negotiable).

BTM has a state-of-the-art bandroom based just outside Caerphilly, and has an exciting schedule of engagements into 2025 and beyond - including the Welsh Regionals (Championship Section) at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea next March as well as other projects in the pipeline.

If you are interested in either of these current vacancies, please contact the band in confidence:

▪️ Andrew King (Band Manager)

07973 427269

▪️ Jeff Hutcherson (Musical Director, Chairman)

07859 050890

Alternatively, you are welcome to email the band (btmbandsecretary@gmail.com), send us a Facebook message, or speak to a current senior playing member of the band. Someone will get back to you soon!