Sam Milton starring role in band contest

Sam Milton who helped at the Rochdale Brass Band Contest

Musician Sam Milton dedicated two days to Rochdale Brass Band Contest playing in three bands and helping to set up the stage for 40 more.

Sam, 14, from Whitworth Community High School attended the North West Brass Band Association event at Rochdale Town Hall to assist his dad Richard, who organises the event.

On the Saturday, he played twice, firstly tuba with Whitworth Vale and Healey Junior Band and then two pieces with Rochdale Youth Band, one tuba and one percussion.

On Sunday he played drums with Whitworth Vale and Healey Senior Band.

Sam said: “On the Sunday, along with six others from the band, I helped to set up the stage for 40 different bands. Each one provides a layout for where everything has to be on the stage and we were ‘chair chuckers’ rearranging it for each different band.

“I also had to help pack up the drums on Sunday so was there from 7.30am and got home at 11pm, with school the following day.”

Sam, from Whitworth, helped Rochdale Youth Band to second place in the youth band section, Whitworth Vale and Healey Junior Band to most promising and highest North West Brass Band Association band and the senior band to fifth in the first section competition.

The competition was revived by Sam’s dad 15 years after it ceased. He reintroduced a senior contest three years ago and then the youth competition was added two years ago.

Sam was joined in the contest by several others from Whitworth Community High School: Alex Lord (Y11), Ryan Pye (Y9), Isabel Dexter (Y9), Maisie Leech (Y8), and Eleanor Dermody (Y7).

Headteacher Gill Middlemas was playing with Milnrow Brass Band while technician George Hanson and Year 8 student Josh Dunning were playing with Goodshaw Brass Band.