The Staffordshire Band has announced the appointment of Tzu-Hsiang Lin as its new solo euphonium.

Known as Hsiang Hsiang, he takes over the role following the departure of Mark Lowe to new work challenges,

Taiwan

Hsiang Hsiang hails from Taiwan and started learning the euphonium with his teacher, Ming-Jui Kao (known as 'Ray'!), a graduate from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

Hsiang Hsiang is studying at Birmingham Conservatoire under tutors Matthew White and David Childs, and used to play with the Golden Hymn Brass Band.

Enjoying

He told 4BR: "I am really enjoying being in England and I am learning a lot — especially from my tutors Matthew White and David Childs.

I wanted to experience and learn about the culture and history of the brass bands in Britain, so I was delighted to be able to join such a fine band at Staffordshire."

Tour

He added: "It would be fantastic that possibly some time in the future, I could get Staffordshire over to Taiwan, to bring this great music and brass band culture to my homeland. I’m sure the Taiwanese people would be thrilled to hear a brass band perform.

I have been made so welcome by the players and I am really looking forward to the future with them!"

I am really enjoying being in England and I am learning a lot — especially from my tutors Matthew White and David ChildsTzu-Hsiang Lin

Coup

Band Chairman Shaun Elliott, added: "It’s a brilliant coup to welcome Hsiang Hsiang, so quickly after Mark Lowe had to finish playing due to the distances involved following his move to a new job.

Hsiang Hsiang is a very fine player and a really nice guy. We wish him well and I'm sure he is going to learn a lot from his experiences with us, and go on to great things!"