Black Dyke euphonium player Daniel Thomas has just arrived back in the UK from yet another prize winning solo excursion — this time at the prestigious ITEC Conference in Tennessee.

Wowed

The young Welshman wowed the American audiences, fellow delegates, judges and a new band of international fans (above) with his performances — resulting in him beating off the challenge of 18 other worldwide competitors to win the $2,000 Blue Riband Euphonium & Tuba Soloist prize.

Amazing experience

It is the latest success for the RNCM student who earlier this year won the BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Award — and it is has been another amazing experience, as he told 4BR.

"It was a fantastic trip. The competition consisted of a semi-final and then a final, and the standard of the performances was amazing — all the players were brilliant.

Attending ITEC has definitely been an amazing experience and my thanks go to everyone who supported me — especially my tutors Steven Mead and David Thornton.

Competitions aside, it was also a very musical rewarding week as there were so many unmissable recitals and masterclasses scheduled throughout. Some personal highlights for me though were recitals given by Tormod Flaten, Eirik Gjerdevik, Mark Glover and Steven Mead. The concert given by River City Brass and James Gourlay was also spectacular!"

It was a fantastic trip. The competition consisted of a semi-final and then a final, and the standard of the performances was amazing — all the players were brilliantDaniel Thomas

Congratulations

Black Dyke Director of Music Prof Nicholas Childs also added his congratulations. "To see such a young talent develop and succeed gives everyone at Black Dyke a huge boost.

Daniel is an exceptional player and part of a world class euphonium section at the band. He has been a wonderful representative of the RNCM, Black Dyke and his home country of Wales."