Baker Swaps Brighouse Helm For Hepworth

After an action packed year as Resident Conductor of the Brighouse and Rastrick Band, Leigh Baker is to move on to take the Musical Director position at the Hepworth Band. Although the move will officially take place in January, Leigh will be fronting Hepworth at a number of seasonal concerts whilst continuing to lead Brighouse in their Busy Christmas calendar.

Leigh told A4B: “I’ve had an amazing year at Brighouse with so many highlights and I would like to thank the band for some very special moments. The Whit Friday Saddleworth win, a Brass in Concert podium spot and some truly high profile concerts will remain musical highlights for me. I am also excited about the imminent release of the “Baker’s Dozen” CD that the band recorded earlier in the year.”

The Hepworth post is a chance for me to really spread my wings though and I will take full responsibility for all contest and concert performances as well as continuing to build on the band’s recent excellent run of form. It’s an exciting time for the band and it was just too good an opportunity for me to turn down.”

Brighouse and Rastrick band manager Alan Morrison told A4B; “B&R are really sorry to lose the services of Leigh as Resident Conductor but recognise the great work he has done for us this year, and accept that his new appointment is a superb opportunity to further his career in several directions. We wish Leigh every success for the future and hope it will not be the last association he has with his beloved purple and gold. We look forward to playing his new arrangements and still working with him regularly in the future. Everyone at B&R wishes Leigh every success in the future and hope his new relationship with Hepworth Band will prove to be very successful.”

Hepworth band spokesman Dave Horan added; “We’re delighted that Leigh has accepted the position of Musical Director with Hepworth, it feels to be the perfect match as we look to build on the solid foundations laid by Mark Peacock. We’d like to thank Mark for his work with the band over the last two years and we wish him every success as he leads the Longridge Band into the Championship section. “We’re really looking forward to the New Year and to working with Leigh as the band’s new Musical Director”