Martin Irwin returns to B&R
The Brighouse and Rastrick Band has announced the signing of Martin Irwin as their soprano cornet player. Martin Irwin is regarded as one of the finest soprano players in the business and returns to the band having previously had two successful tenures in the famous purple and gold colours. Martin was first in the band from 1992 to 2001, initially as assistant principal cornet and then soprano cornet, and was part of the triple champions band in the late 90s where B&R won the European Championships, the National Finals, and the All England Masters. After some time away, Martin returned to Brighouse and Rastrick in 2006 until 2010, again as assistant principal cornet and then soprano cornet, twice winning Brass in Concert and another National Finals trophy. In total Martin has won 11 major competitions with the band.
Martin returns to the band having had a couple of years as assistant principal cornet with Marsden Band, 7 years at Black Dyke Band on assistant principal cornet and soprano cornet, and more recently holding the soprano chair at the Fairey Band for 12 months.
Commenting on his return Martin said, “I’m really excited to be re-joining Brighouse and Rastrick, a band close to my heart and one I’ve shared so many great times and successes with over 13 years. I’m looking forward to this next chapter in my playing career, getting started and performing with the band again, and helping them achieve further success on the concert and contest stages.”
Chairman, Ste Cavanagh added, “We’re delighted to welcome Martin back home. He is a fine player, a terrific bandsman and he’s won a lot of silverware. Those are qualities any band would desire in a player. It is really quite special when that player already shares our passion for the jacket the team wears. We all can’t wait to get back into the band room and out on stage together again.”
