Mike Walsh | Brass Bands England

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Mike Walsh

Mike is originally from Bury in Greater Manchester.  Mike started his musical career aged 8, when he began playing the baritone with Prestwich band, where his dad played Bb Bass.

He then played with Middleton Band and then with Besses Boys Band, including taking part in their tour of Australia in 1988. He had several years with Besses o’th Barn Band before moving to Drighlington Band when he left home to go to University.  He also played in the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, including being part of their appearance on Blue Peter.  In 1995 he joined the Yorkshire Building Society Band and was in the band for all of their 15 Major Contest victories, and was part of their tour of Australia in 2005. Mike is now in his 25th year with the band, in their guise of Hammonds.

Mike is married to Emma, who plays tenor horn in Hammonds Band. He has two daughters, Lily and Isobel; they both play cornet for the Emley Band.

Mike is a solicitor based in Leeds, spending his days representing people accused of serious crimes. Mike has been a trustee of BBE since 2017. He sees being a trustee as an opportunity to use his experience, gained both in and out of the banding arena, to make a positive contribution to the brass band community, which has played such an important part of his life.