Former BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Award winner, Grant Jameson will make his contest debut on solo euphonium with Flowers Band at next month's British Open Championship.

Grant takes over from David Childs, who left the West of England Area champion following their victory at the French Open earlier this summer.

Sad to leave

David told 4BR: "Naturally I'm sad to leave Flowers, but personal and professional commitments mean I'm unable to dedicate as much time as I'd like to the band at the moment.

However, having taught Grant at the Royal Welsh College of Music, and played in a section with him at Flowers, I have no doubt he will excel in this new role. He is an ambitious and talented individual whose playing speaks for itself.

I wish him the very best and thank the band and its management for two and half very enjoyable and successful years as part of the team."

Naturally I'm sad to leave Flowers, but personal and professional commitments mean I'm unable to dedicate as much time as I'd like to the band at the momentDavid Childs

Immeasurable

In reply, Flowers Band Manager John Gillam thanked the high profile virtuoso for his contribution: "David has made an immeasurable contribution both musically and personally to Flowers Band and he will be missed, not just as an outstanding player beyond compare, but also his enthusiasm and tremendous ability to influence others to achieve their best.

Hopefully, there will be opportunity to work with David artistically again in the near future, but in the meantime we thank him for his huge contribution and wish him and his family all the very best."

New signings

The band has also announced the new signings of Andy Austin on bass trombone and Steve Legge on second trombone with Jonathon Bowden and Sean Doherty coming in on solo cornet.

Also helping the band at the British Open is former solo euphonium Andy Hicks.