For news from previous years click below:

Mount Charles Announce New Signings 08/01/10

Mount Charles Band have been busy in the transfer market in preparation for the new season.

After a period of time consolidating their position and working on their new bandroom, the band are delighted to welcome some new faces into the band.

Long serving Soprano player Jon Small has decided to hang up his mouthpiece after being part of the band for the last 25 years.

The band are of course sorry to see Jon retire, but welcome in Brendan Caddy who has been making a name for himself in the NYCBB as well as the NYBBGB more recently.

Jon said 'it was a difficult decision for me, as I have been part of the band for so long, but now is the time for me to spend more time with my young family, and I am pleased to be welcoming Brendan into the hot-seat and I am sure he'll do a great job'.

Angela Retallack joins the Euphonium section after helping the band out during the summer months. Also Matthew Allen joins the percussion section.

Derek Thomas continued 'We have signed 3 young players into the band, which is great news all of whom bring with them enthusiasm and commitment. We hope they will all be making their contesting debut at Yeovil Contest in February, although Angela recently badly broke her ankle and is awaiting a further operation. The band wish her a speedy recovery.'

Mount Charles Announce Plans For 2010 20/12/09

Mount Charles Band are delighted to share their plans for 2010 in preparation for the contesting calendar.

The band have a busy schedule of contests and engagements planned, and are delighted to be working with some great conductors in the New Year. Engagements include working towards local and National contests as well as accepting an invitation to attend the Grenland Festival in Norway.

Richard Evans will be taking the band in the new year at the Yeovil contest, and Phillip McCann (click here for biography) will be preparing and directing the band for the West of England area and Grand Shield.

Derek Thomas, Chairman said 'We are very pleased to be working alongside Richard again at the Yeovil contest, he has selected a typically entertaining programme which the band are already enjoying!

Later on in the year the band will work with Phillip McCann on English Heritage a piece he had great success with Sellers on.

Phillip said 'I am really looking forward to working with MCB , a band that I had the great pleasure of being Guest Soloist with in recent years . They have what seems to me to be a wonderful set up which does focus quite correctly on a very strong youth development strategy . Also a band that I believe are a true example of what the grass roots of brass bands are and should be about . I will give 110% in my efforts to ensure they will perform the best that they can be'.

The band have been working hard over the last few months to be well prepared for the new year.

Derek Thomas continued 'We have signed some new players in the band, and after a break from contests, we feel ready to 'go again' in the new year.