The Whitburn Band has welcomed one of the leading stars of the European brass band world to its ranks in time for the British Open.

Bumper up

Harmen Vanhoorne, the principal cornet of Belgian outfit Brassband Buizingen, will play assistant principal cornet with the Scottish contenders, who will be conducted by Steven Mead.

Outstanding

Steven commented to 4BR: "Harmen is an outstanding soloist and band player. I first got to know him through Brassband Buizingen. He is such a strong and reliable player and will be such a great asset to our front row cornet section."

Harmen will be known to British brass band enthusiasts for his performance at last year’s British Open Solo Contest, where he finished second to Glen van Looy and picked up the best cornet prize.

Harmen is such a strong and reliable player and will be such a great asset to our front row cornet sectionSteven Mead

Welcome back

Whitburn has also welcomed back two familiar faces for Birmingham.

Filip Draglund, a solo cornet player with Solna Brass in Sweden, will play repiano cornet. Filip returns to the Land O’Burns champion after playing with the band at the 2006 British Open and the 2007 National Championships.

Perc return

In the percussion section, Philip Trudgeon returns on timpani.

The Royal Marine's musician, played with Whitburn at last year’s Brass in Concert contest where his kit drum playing helped the band pick up the ‘Best New Arrangement’ award for Peter Meechan’s 'Innuendo'.