There was one very happy cornet player with the Tingley Band at rehearsal this week, as Michael Chapman received his Geneva Symphony cornet following his success in the recent 4BR National Finals competition sponsored by the leading instrument maker.

Fantastic prize

Michael, who only started playing in January at the age of 40, told 4BR: “I’ve always enjoyed listening to brass band music. However due to a busy career as a nurse I’ve not had the time for other interests.

Now having a young family, I felt it would be good to show them about learning new skills and hopefully inspire them a bit — so you can tell just how delighted I was to hear I had won this fantastic prize.”

Welcomed

Michael was invited to come along to Tingley by his cornet teacher and was immediately welcomed into the fold.

“I was quite nervous initially but the other members and conductor have been great,” he added. “I’ve played in a local contest with the band and in several enjoyable concerts this year, so far and have been bitten by the brass band bug.”

Perfect instrument

Now he has the perfect instrument to carry in developing as a player, after he correctly picked Black Dyke as his choice of winner before a note was blown at the Royal Albert Hall.

“I have to say, the cornet is beautiful. I couldn't believe how easily it blows straight out of the box and I can see this is really going to help my playing. It’s a top quality instrument and it made me sound so much better immediately!

I’m really looking forward to playing it a lot more and I'm sure my new Geneva Symphony cornet will give me a huge boost of playing confidence.

Many thanks again to all the people at Geneva instruments and 4BR for my wonderful prize.”

I have to say, the cornet is beautiful. I couldn't believe how easily it blows straight out of the box and I can see this is really going to help my playingMichael Chapman

Great team up

A spokesperson from Geneva Instruments told 4BR: “It has been really good to be able to team up with 4BR to launch the competition, especially with our commitment and sponsorship of the National Championships.

The response to the competition was fantastic and it was so pleasing to find out that the Geneva Symphony cornet has inspired yet another player.

We trust Michael will enjoy playing his new cornet and hope the instrument is a means of encouragement to develop as a player for many years to come."