Besses o' th' Barn Band are delighted to announce the appointment of Trevor Halliwell as their new Musical Director.

A cornettist from the age of 9, Trevor's talent was spotted as a young player by members of Wingates band. He went on to become assistant principal at Foden's, before returning to Wingates where he held the principal position for ten years, also winning the coveted title of Champion Soloist of Great Britain 1979 and playing principal trumpet with the Haffner Orchestra.

Trevor brings to the band a wealth of experience as a player, teacher, adjudicator and conductor. In his conducting career, Trevor has taken numerous bands including Stalybridge, Marple, Hoover Bolton, and more recently leading Golborne band to promotion into the 2nd section.

The band are very excited to be working with Trevor as they approach their Bicentenary year in 2018 and would like to invite any players who would like to come for a blow to join us at rehearsals every Tuesday and Thursday 8-10pm at the band room, 2 Moss Lane, Whitefield, Manchester M45 6HG.

It's time for our annual summer concert with our good friends from Affetside Choir.

Tickets are now available from either the Choir:Joanne Wilcock 01204 882775 or Besses: 07581 230637

Come and have a wonderful time with a selection of music for all tastes.

Want to see Besses in concert?

Here are our latest bookings:

Sun 23 April 2017 - St. Georges day Concert, Ramsbottom Civic Hall 7.30pm start.

A great evening with traditional Brass Band music and featuring some superb solo perfomances.

Tickets available on the door

Sun 7th May 2017 - Ring o Bells, 130 Church Lane, Marple.SK6 7AY. Meet 3pm start.

Sun 21 May - Clough Day, Church Inn, Church Lane Prestwich.M25 1AJ. Afternoon.

Sun 4th June - St Mary's flower Park ,Prestwich. Afternoon .TBC

Fri 9th June - Whit Friday.4pm onwards - Greatest FREE show on earth!!!

Sun 18 June - Ajex parade,Heathlands,Prestwich.1pm.

Sun 13 August - Ring o Bells, 130 Church Lane, Marple. SK 6 7AY. 3pm start.

If you would like further information please contact us.

As we approach the summer we are looking to strengthen our team with additional players.

All players are welcome, but we have permanent positions available for the following:

Cornet (postion flexible)

Baritone

Tenor Trombone

Bass (either)

Please contact Debbie (Secretary) for further information.

Rehearsals are every Tuesday

The Longfield Suite in Prestwich welcomes back one of the oldest brass bands in the world and the fabulous Affetside Choir for a festive concert to remember.

Join us in the Longfield Suite, Prestwich, Manchester M25 1AY on the afternoon of Sunday, 4 December for a traditional Xmas concert with the brilliant Besses o' th' Barn Band and the Affetside Choir.

The doors open at 1.15pm and the show starts at 2.00pm.  Festive refreshments will be available from the bar.  Tickets are £7, and available from members of the band and the choir, or from the Longfield Suite box office.  For the box office, please call: 0161 253 7227, or pay on the door.

Defending 2015 champions Besses o’ th’ Barn Band, under the baton of guest conductor Mareika Gray, delighted judges and a packed audience in the Holmfirth Picturedrome on Saturday 19 November 2016 with its playing, choice of music, and its all-round entertainment value.  Besses took second prize in the latest round of a Yorkshire entertainment contest, Brass Factor, where the results are decided by audience voting rather than the panel of judges.

Read more: Runners-up in Holmfirth Brass Factor Contest 2016

In August 2016 Besses o' th' Barn Band announced the signing of the experienced Kenny Pain as its new principal cornet player.  The former Coldstream Guards trumpeter is no stranger to the banding world, having also played soprano cornet for Milnrow Band, who he helped to a famous Grand Shield victory as well as to qualifying for both the British Open and National Finals.

Kenny said: "After a short break from banding I was invited down to a rehearsal at Besses.  With the atmosphere there, I was sure I wanted to be part of the band's future and accepted the position without hesitation."

A spokesman for the band was delighted to welcome the new top-man.  "It's a real privilege to have Kenny take this role at Besses as it didn't take long to realise what a fabulous player we had in our midst.  Kenny is an incredibly experienced player and his amazing playing pedigree will be of huge benefit to us as the band begins its journey in the Second Section."