BLAENAVON Town band has announced its newly appointed musical director Andrew Protherough-Jones.

Andrew comes from a musical family (his grandfather, uncle and cousins were also band members) and began his playing career as a trombonist with Blaenavon Colliery Workmen's Band, remaining with them until departing to further his musical studies.

A music graduate of the University of London and Bath Spa University, he has, for the past eight years, been Director of Music at West Monmouth School. Andrew also sits on CAGAC, the Welsh Association of Music Advisers, where he is currently Vice-Chair of the curriculum group. He is currently completing an MA in education management and leadership.

For over ten years Andrew has conducted the acknowledged female choir, Coro Cantabile, and he is also regularly in demand as a conductor of operatic societies and musical theatre across South Wales.

Andrew has said he is proud to be taking up the baton of the band which gave him his introduction into the world of music and looks forward to a happy and successful partnership.

Paul Miles Band Secretary said, 'We are pleased to renew our association with Andrew and look forward to working with him on some very exciting projects the first of which will be on 21st November, 2009, when he will conduct the Band at the South East Wales Brass Band Association Championship Contest at the Workmen's Hall, Blaenavon and also recording a CD in the New Year