English National champion Black Dyke has announced the appointment of Jonathan Bates as their new solo horn.

The multi talented young composer and performer will move from the first horn seat to succeed Sheona White, who recently announced her intention to join Brighouse & Rastrick.

Credentials

With musical credentials that include being a brass finalist at the BBC’s flagship ‘Young Musician of the Year’ competition, composer of the test piece for the 2012 Fourth Section National Finals, principal horn of the National Youth Band of Great Britain for the last eight courses and a past winner of the Harry Mortimer solo prize, the Queensbury band has acted quickly to fill the gap with a player of enormous potential.

Exciting

That was certainly Black Dyke's Director of Music Nicholas Childs conviction when speaking to 4BR: "Jonny is a young exciting and multi-faceted musician, a talent I know will see this as an opportunity and will grasp the challenge."

Jonny is a young exciting and multi-faceted musician, a talent I know will see this as an opportunity and will grasp the challengeDirector of Music, Dr Nicholas Childs

Honour

Meanwhile, the clearly delighted newly appointed player added: "It's a huge honour to take on the role of solo horn at Black Dyke.

The opportunities and challenges of performing on the biggest platforms, along with the CD recordings and tours are something I'm greatly looking forward to."