Thurlstone Brass Band - © 2006-2008

Congratulations to Lewis on becoming the 2007 Soloist of the Year of the Stocksbridge Band series of concerts, following on from Jonathan Bates success last year.




From “The Star” newspaper:

Blown away by Lewis’ success

Lewis Bettles is a young trombonist whose musical career is going from strength to strength - and he’s only 11!

The Bradfield School pupil, who started playing the instrument aged 9, has just been crowned Soloist of the Year.

The award tops off a storming year for the youngster from Stannington who has scooped 9 trophies in a few months.

Lewis’ run started in January when he became one of the youngest members of the Yorkshire Youth Brass Band - the “training band” of the famous Black Dyke Band.

In March, he appeared as the guest trombone with Elland Silver Youth Band at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester; where they won the National Youth Brass Band Championships.

In May, Lewis triumphed in his first solo competition, the Elland Silver Band Slow Melody Competition, which he won with his smooth rendition of Gershwin’s “Summertime”.

A week later the young musician picked up 4 trophies within 48 hours.

Delighted mum Debbie said: “I’m so prod of him.  He has won 9 trophies and is a very talented, modest and popular young man”

His biggest triumph came in March when, as principal trombone with the adult Thurlstone Brass Band, Lewis was given a standing ovation at the Niagra Sports and Social Club.  As part of the Stocksbridge Band Club’s Summer concert season Lewis performed a complicated trombone solo, “Blue John”,which he played completely from memory.

Now the school holidays are nearly here and most youngsters would be putting their feet up.  But not for Lewis.  He is working towards his Grade 6 trombone exam and the British Open Solo Competition.  And if this doesn’t keep him busy enough the youngster, who plays the drums for Oughtibridge Training Brass Band, has piano practice to be getting on with.