The popular lunchtime recital series at the famous Guards Chapel in London will see a familiar brass banding face making his debut this February.

Musical tour

Nick Walkley, the former principal cornet of Fairey’s and Leyland, is now enjoying a career in the Irish Guards and will perform a ‘musical tour of the continent’ on the 28th February.

The former trainee architect is enjoying Army life. "Some might rightfully have questioned my sanity in deciding to trade in the glamorous life of an architect in for the Army, but I’ve found this career offers me all kinds of opportunities in and outside of music and I’m continuously performing to a high standard at high profile events that are very much in the public eye."

Award winner

Since joining the Corps of Army Music in 2010 Nick has also featured as principal cornet of the British Army Brass Band, and was awarded both the Cousins and Cassell Silver medals from Kneller Hall as the most outstanding musician and instrumentalist of 2011.

Since joining the Corps of Army Music in 2010 Nick has also featured as principal cornet of the British Army Brass Band, and was awarded both the Cousins and Cassell Silver medals4BR

Short model

Nick admits he has found a difference between the music scenes in London and the North, encountering a tradition of treating ‘band’ instruments less seriously than their orchestral cousins.

"The general attitude down here seems to be that the ‘short-model trumpet’ is some sort of training instrument! Actually for the cornet there’s quite a difference in approach, and I don’t mean just turning on the brass band vibrato.

It’s almost a class issue, and I hope this recital will bridge that and showcase some of the wonderfully lyrical classical repertoire that suits this instrument, something perhaps there isn’t enough recognition for in the capital.”

Tour of duty

Nick’s recital with members of the Household Quintet will follow a musical tour format with music from Italy, Norway, Spain, Russia, England France, Austria, Ireland and Wales; the latter of which will be represented with a new arrangement of Gareth Wood’s ‘Nocturne’, scored here for both piano and brass.

The recital will be held at the Guards Chapel, Birdcage Walk, London on the 28th February at 1:00pm, as part of the regular monthly lunchtime series. Entrance is free with a retiring collection.