Members
Matt Bailey

NAME – Matt Bailey

When Started Playing – 1990 when I started at the brass factory known as Wardle High School. Initially I started on Baritone, but then realised that Euph players get all the best parts, so moved onto it for the best years- won bloody everything! Stayed on Euph for the next 15 years, before spending three years pretending to play a B flat Bass at Besses, then settled on Solo Baritone for a couple of years.

Previous Bands

Player- Wardle High School, Wardle Anderson Brass, Haslingden & Helmshore, Hebden Bridge, Goodshaw, Whitworth, Littleborough, Besses.

Conductor- Wardle Community, Littleborough, Radcliffe, have also conducted Wardle Anderson, Denton, Stalybridge and Besses filling in when folk don't come!

Best moment in Banding 

Being the best youth Euph player in the country- twice. Being named player of the section with Wardle at the National Finals in Torquay. Winning 2nd Prize at Holmfirth contest with Littleborough as MD in the band's first contest for 15 years. Conducting at the areas. Sweeping the board with Haslingden in the second section on a London Overture. First Whit Friday with Littleborough as MD. Last Whit Friday with Littleborough as a player, a nice farewell. Old Trafford cricket ground in front of 9000 with Besses. Grange over Sands, Sedbergh and Lannercost with Besses- excellent trips, great memories. First spring concert with Radcliffe as MD at Radcliffe Civic. Leading Besses as MD in 2012 on Whit Friday.

Worst moment in Banding

Don’t really have one. It’s all part of the learning curve!

Favourite Test Piece

Anything melodic, especially Dimensions (first test piece as MD), Music for a Festival (won the bloody lot on that with Wardle School), Land of the Long White Cloud.

Future hopes and wishes

To build on an incredible foundation at Denton, and produce some quality performances. Hard work is good work!

 

Matt1