New Signing

The band have kicked off 2026 with a bang and are delighted to add a new member to our team! We are thrilled to announce that James Gray will be joining our cornet section.

Hailing from Liverpool, James began playing the cornet in primary school, where he was quickly taken under the mentorship of Louise Hough MBE at Resonate Music Hub. Soon after, he joined his first contesting band, Formby Band (now Liverpool Brass Band), where he did his first area contest in 2nd section. After an enjoyable tenure at Formby, in 2022, James made the move to his first championship section band, Wingates on the front row, competing in the championship section area and Grand Shield contest at 14 years old. Later that year, he was given the opportunity to compete at the British Open Brass Band Championships as well as the National Finals with Leyland Band, signing for Leyland soon after. During a 3-year period at Leyland, James worked his way up the front row, eventually reaching his seat as 2nd man down, having competed in multiple North West areas, British Opens and National Finals as well as performing in a wide range of concerts with the band.

James was also a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, holding top seats on both soprano cornet and Bb cornet, completing 8 courses under an extensive list of illustrious conductors and tutors. He also had the opportunity to perform in the collaboration with the National Youth Orchestra, performing Gavin Higgins’ ‘Concerto Grosso’ at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and Royal Festival Hall, London.

Speaking of the appontment, our Musical Director Paul Holland said “I am absolutely delighted to welcome a player of James’ calibre to the band. The bandroom feels very positive with the progress we have made in 2025 and I am sure James will fit right in.”

Band Chairman Paul Street added:

“On behalf of all of Woodfalls, we are delighted to have appointed such an exciting and talented young player for the bumper up cornet seat. This position is typically hard to recruit for and we feel we now have one of the best in the business!”

Please join us in wishing James a very warm welcome to Woodfalls!