A YOUNG musician who "helped out" the Forest of Dean Brass a few years ago has returned as its musical director.

Tom Dunne conducted the Yorkley-based band’s 25th anniversary concert in 2019 and took up the baton for their summer concert season this year.

He is also musical director of Lydney Town Band.

He said "I’m delighted to be appointed as the Musical Director of Forest of Dean Brass.

"We’ve had a great relationship since I first helped out in 2019, and I’ve remained consistently impressed by the standard of playing, the community ethos, and the strong camaraderie of the band.

"I’m eagerly anticipating working with the band to build on this strong foundation to achieve further success in the future."

A spokesperson from the band added "We are extremely pleased that Tom has agreed to be our new musical director.

His youthful perspective, clear leadership and infectious musical enthusiasm will be great for our players and audiences alike and we look forward to exciting times ahead."

Tom first took up the euphonium in Cwmbran Youth Band, before progressing through the Greater Gwent Youth Brass Band and the National Youth Brass Band of Wales.

He later studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with international euphonium soloist David Childs, graduating in 2017 with a masters in music performance.

Following stints with Rogerstone Band in Newport and Markham and District Band in the Gwent Valleys, Tom joined the euphonium section of Filton Concert Brass in Bristol in 2017, performing with the band in many contest successes, recordings, and concerts.

In 2019, Tom discovered a passion for conducting, and was appointed as the musical director of Lydney Town Band.

Tom has now stepped down from Filton to focus on his conducting commitments with Forest of Dean Brass and Lydney.