Milnrow Band welcomes three new players

L-R: Milnrow Band's new players, Steve Ridler, Olli Atherton, Donna Towse, Laura Whittaker

Milnrow Band has welcomed three new players to the ranks; Steve Ridler, Olli Atherton and Laura Whittaker whilst long-serving band member Donna Towse moves to a new soloist seat.

Steve joins on solo baritone from the WFEL Fairey Band and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the band having held principal seats with many of the UK’s top bands as well as Brisbane Excelsior Band in Australia during the 2000s.

Olli joins Milnrow on bass trombone from Grimethorpe Colliery Band and is currently studying at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

Laura joins the band on second cornet from Littleborough Band where she was principal cornet and still conducts their training band, Boro’ Brass. Lastly, Donna Towse has taken up the mantle of being the bands new soprano cornet player. Donna has been a member of Milnrow Band for 20 years and in that time has played on almost every seat in the cornet section plus flugel and solo horn but she can now be found balancing on the high-wire of soprano!

Steve and Laura joined Milnrow towards the end of 2021 and have already made an impact in the band’s performances whilst Olli joined at the start of February.

The band are currently inviting applications for the vacancy of principal cornet, apply in confidence via info@milnrowband.co.uk or call Natalie Beer on 07795 148620.