The Harrogate Band has welcomed a new recruit to the ranks – from over 4,000 miles away!

New to brass bands

John Cooper who just five months ago was living in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma joins the band on cornet. John is new to brass bands having spent his spare time in the states playing for the Tulsa Praise Orchestra Sounds of Music Big Band and the Tulsa Community Band.

He’s been looking forward to playing for a British style brass band for a while and is getting used to playing the cornet instead of his usual instrument the trumpet.

Loving it!

He told 4BR: "My musician mates in the States are seriously jealous about me playing for a British brass band. We don’t really have them back home, and I’m loving it!"

As a new member he has been assigned a mentor, Delroy Broadwaite, to help him get to grips with the new style of music and to help him travel to concerts.

My musician mates in the States are seriously jealous about me playing for a British brass band. We don’t really have them back home, and I’m loving it!John Cooper

Mentor

This mentoring approach has helped previous members including David Smith who now plays for Black Dyke.

Delroy added: "Working with John is a real pleasure, I’m helping him adjust to the ensemble playing of a British band and also passing on some wisdom too!"

Understanding

When asked if there were any difficulties between the American trumpet approach and Delroy’s Yorkshire born method Delroy replied:

"Frankly, no. We do have a little difficulty understanding each other at times but as I spent a few months in Canada in my youth we seem to manage ok."