Andy Lawton
Solo Baritone

Andy started playing at the age of 8 and a bit. He became a founder member of the Stockport Schools Brass Band and later joined the Poynton Band. He has played with the band ever since.

His Favorite Testpiece is the Carnival Overture by Dvorák and his favorite piece is The Corsair by Bizet. He hates The Iceberg.

Andy is currently employed as a postman in Bramhall and is living with his wife Rebecca. He met her at the band as Rebecca plays the Trombone.

Andy's playing aspirations are to pass his grade 8 on the 'Cameroonian Sansa' or 'Nigerian Alghaita'. So he tells me.

His ambition is to play at a contest not having to go to the toilet more than 5 times before playing.


Gary White
2nd Baritone

Gary started playing the Euphonium at the age of 12 years and his banding career took off with the Gorton Silver Band with whom he played Principal Euphonium till the bands demise.

Since then Gary has played at Tintwistle, Congleton and Dobcross before arriving here at Poynton.


Sarah Dawson
Solo Euphonium

Sarah's musical career began at the age of 5 on the piano. At the age of 7, Sarah also took up playing the euphonium at Great Moor Junior School.

Banding History:
Poynton Youth Brass Band: 1982 - 1993
Stockport Schools Brass Band: 1983 - 1992
Marple 'B': 1985 - 1987
VBS Poyton Band: 1987 - present

Favourite Test Piece: Pagannini Variations


Andy Crosland
2nd Euphonium

Not sure exactly when I started but my earliest memory is "having a go" on my dad’s tenor horn age 7 or 8 – followed by lessons at Denby Dale Junior Band. We got 5 new pence (decimal!!!) for chips on the way home!

Fed up of afterbeats I decided to try trombone which I played for a number of years at school bands - until it got bent one Christmas, and I ended up on euphonium because it was all the school had left!

I’ve played with various Yorkshire bands, including Skelmanthorpe and Hade Edge – and at various times played tenor and bass trombone, but mainly euphonium. I was also a founder member of the successful Scissett Youth Band and stayed for 7 years as principal euphonium until age forced retirement!

Having moved to Manchester in 1986, commuting to Hade Edge lost its appeal in the winter months, and I eventually found a place in BT Band (2nd Euphonium). A new wife and baby prompted me to take a rest from serious banding, but after a couple of years off I soon got back into playing with Hazel Grove in 1994.

Since moving to VBS in 2002 I have enjoyed the high standard of playing, the variety of jobs (many seeming to involve fields and tents!) and the friendly atmosphere.