To those who are unfamiliar with Tudhoe Grange School Bands our choice of title for this CD may seem a little presumptuous. However, for those who have been associated with the band for many years, the words 'simply the best' sum up the spirit and degree of determination that has enables the band to achieve a level of musicianship that far exceeded all initial expectations.

With our first CD recording of a new millennium and as we move towards the close of the second decade of our band's history it is hardly surprising that the band should strike a reflective note and use this opportunity not only to look forward but to look back.

In selecting the tracks for this recording we have sought to highlight the wide tange of talents within both bands and a number of soloists are featured. One very special track is 'From Me to You' composed by Adrian Biddulph and dedicated to his wife Judith on the occasion of their twentieth wedding anniversary. The contribution that Judith has made to the success of Tudhoe Grange Band is rarely mentioned but could never be overestimated. From the band's inception Judith has offered unstinting support to Adrian in all the projects he has undertaken to secure the band's success and those of us who know them we fully appreciate that the bamd could not have developed to this standard without her. 'From Me to You' therefore has a very special significance for us and we are grateful to soloists, Beth Thompson, Oboe, who worked for two terms as a student teacher in the Music Department, lead Saxophonist, Daniel Johnson, who despite the pressures of year 11 GCSE work has participated in the Concert Band, Big Band and small Combos throughout the year, and Carolyn Turner, a year 8 pupil on Flute. Carolyn is the bands' only flautist and has added a new dimension to the Big Band.