Ian McElligott joins Carlton Main Frickley

Carlton Main are delighted to announce a new conducting appointment. The new appointment saw the band team up with award winning conductor Erik Janssen in time for their Grand Shield success. Erik has taken up the Professional role and will work alongside side Musical Director, Ian McElligott (pictured here). Erik has achieved fantastic success across Europe, particularly with Brass Band Schoonhoven highlighted by winning the own choice performance section at the European Brass Band Championship in 2012 with 99 points, the highest ever achieved. With his recent appointment to lead the 2016 European Youth Brass Band in Lille, Carlton Main have secured one of Europe’s hottest properties.

Erik said “I was really looking forward to work with one of the greatest bands in Yorkshire. I really love the style and the sounds, and I think they have some remarkable talents such as Kirsty Abbotts. The band have had great results at the Areas and I knew we could do a really good job on the beautiful composition Of Distant Memories by Edward Gregson, which is one of my favorite compositions. I’ve already won on the piece with Brass Band Schoonhoven in 2013 at the Dutch Nationals so was thrilled we were able to secure the same result. It is my first visit as a conductor in Yorkshire, if you ever told me this would happen twenty years ago I wouldn’t have believed it!”

Band Manager, Robert Browne said, ‘The band are thrilled to be able appoint one of the most exciting conductors in Europe. This appointment reflects the aims and ambitions of the band and we are all thoroughly looking forward to working with Erik long term.”

In a double boost for the band, young cornet star Bradley Hanson was also added to the cornet ranks with his appointment to 2nd man. Even at his young age Bradley brings a wealth of experience. His career blossomed as Principal Cornet at Foss Dyke Band and after successful periods with both EYMS and Reg Vardy, Bradley returns to CMFCB where he played his first British Open in 2014. Principal Cornet, Kirsty Abbotts commented, “As soon as I heard of Bradley’s interest in the position we did everything we could to secure his signing. I’m delighted to have him as part of the cornet team, especially as my bumper up! The band have some great young talent around the stands, which creates a very exciting future for CMFCB.”

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