Cornerstone Brass has announced a brace of changes to their line up ahead of their National Finals appearance in Cheltenham later this month.

Replacing the missing

Unfortunately, the band will be without the services of award winning principal euphonium Jim Ely due to family commitments, along with EEb tuba Karl Heap, who will be missing due to demanding work commitments.

However, the band is delighted to welcome back to the band former principal euphonium Stephen Mortimer who will act as bumper up to Joel Moore.

Talented help

Band spokesperson Damian Wileman told 4BR: "Stephen is a tremendously talented musician and we are delighted he has agreed to fill the gap for us."

George has helped out the band on a couple of occasions and so in many ways he is already part of the Cornerstone familyDamian Wileman

Tuba

The band also welcomes up and coming tuba star George Bailey onto EEb tuba to substitute for Karl.

Until recently, George was a member of the Rockingham Band and also a member of the National Methodist Youth Brass Band.

Damian added: "George has helped out the band on a couple of occasions and so in many ways he is already part of the Cornerstone family."