A LOCAL conductor has been invited to work with one of France's leading brass bands. Chris Wormald, a teacher at Smithills School, is a familiar face in Bolton due to his successful work with not only the school's bands, but also a variety of bands throughout the area. However, his reputation established a "French connection" last weekend when he was invited to fly out to work in Paris.

He spent time preparing the reigning French National Champions, Brass Band Normandie, for the 1998 National Championships in May. He also worked with the Youth Brass Band de Malaunay.

Chris said: "The set piece for the 1998 French National Championships that I prepared with Brass Band Normandie is the very well known British brass band work The Downfall of Lucifer by Derek Bourgeois

"I am the first non-French conductor ever to be invited to work with France's leading brass band and in October international euphonium soloist Stephen Mead and conductor James Watson have accepted invitations to give a concert with Brass Band Normandie."

While there, Chris also had matters a little closer to home in hand. He finalised details of the forthcoming week-long tour of Normandy in June by Smithills School Senior Brass Band.

Chris added: "Our most prestigious tour is being sponsored by Fort James UK Ltd and Keogh Ritson Solicitors and will give our players the opportunity to rehearse and give three concerts with both Brass Band Normandie and the Youth Band de Malaunay during our stay in France."

The next performance by Smithills School senior brass band will be in Victoria Hall on Sunday, 7.30pm.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.