The talent scouts of Norwegian banding will surely be beating a path to the maternity ward of Bergen Hospital anytime soon in the hope of securing the signature of the new arrival for two of Norway's most popular players.
Baby girl
Birgitte Bjornsdatter Bruget (principal trombone at Manger Musikklag) and David Morton (principal cornet at Eikanger Bjorsvik) are expecting their little baby girl anytime soon — and although their bands have given them extended maternity and paternity leave for the wonderful event, you can be sure both Band Managers will also want to try and also get first dabs on a potential new signing for the 2030 National Championships!!
DNA pedigree
Not surprisingly, the new arrival will come with a fantastic DNA pedigree.
Birgitte has played principal trombone for Manger for nine years, helping them to claim several major titles including World Championships, Europeans and Nationals, whilst David also has a packed CV of awards as well as a growing international profile as a teacher — recently working at Birmingham Conservatoire and at the National Youth Band of Switzerland.
Later this autumn he will work in his role as a Besson Performance Artist with Brass i Mo and Røn Musikklag, as well as conducting Oster Brass and Rong Brass at the Siddis Entertainment contest.
It's going to be such a wonderful new chapter in our lives — although we will also be on the look-out in the future for some brass band babysitters so we can both return to our bandsBirgitte and David
Nursery
However, the last few weeks have seen the couple put away their instruments and concentrate on turning their spare bedroom/practice room into a nursery.
Birgitte told 4BR: "We are both incredibly excited and looking forward to our new arrival. It's going to be such a wonderful new chapter in our lives — although we will also be on the look-out in the future for some brass band babysitters so we can both return to our bands.
We think our baby will enjoy brass band music making almost from her very first day with us!"