An award-winning BBC and Disney composer has become the new Musical Director of a local brass band.
Paul Lovatt-Cooper is one of the world’s most in-demand brass composers, with his works being played to sold-out audiences everywhere from the Sydney Opera House and Carnegie Hall to the Royal Albert Hall.
He will now also lead the Ashton Brass Band in the build-up to the 2025 North West Regional Championships and Grand Shield contests, where they’ll hope to improve on last year’s 12th and 20th place finishes, respectively.
Born on Alderney in the Channel Islands, Mr Lovatt-Cooper's musical career began by hitting the bass drum in his parent’s Salvation Army band, before moving to Salford to study music at college and university.
He has also worked on the soundtracks for Disney’s Club Penguin, and Postman Pat and Strange Hill High for the BBC, the latter being nominated for two BAFTAs.
The Tour returns for 2026
Road closed as police chase from Hyde ends in crash
Active Tameside Festival of Sport returns
‘We are here to do our very best’: NHS chief Karen James OBE on demand, staff and patient care
