Sterling Musical Instruments has announced that Raf Van Looveren has become an official performance artist with the brand.

The Belgian star came to worldwide prominence during his decade long spell as principal cornet of Brass Band Willebroek where he built a reputation as one of the most complete players of his generation.

Perfect cornet

He is presently playing with the Wind Band of the Belgian Guides which also allows him time to work as a soloist and still enjoy his brass banding as a player, conductor and ensemble performer.

Raf has worked with Sterling to come up with an instrument that he believes further enhances his playing — one that he told 4BR, '... is the perfect cornet for me.'

"As a professional musician, you are always looking for the best instrument to meet your needs,"he said. "In my case this means an instrument that gives a warm sound with excellent projection that is in tune, flexible and is easy to blow.

I had heard great things about Sterling from colleagues, so when Jean-Paul Ratachack, distributor of Sterling Instruments in Europe suggested that I try a Sterling cornet I jumped at the chance, especially as it meant I could work with Paul Riggett on producing the ideal instrument for me."

In my opinion the result of Paul's expertise was the perfect cornet for meRaf Van Looveren

Not disappointed

Raf added: "I wasn't disappointed. By choosing the Red-Brass cup and the Heavy Bottom valve-caps, I gained the warm, soft, big sound I as looking for.

Making the cornet a bit wider for me also gave a psychological advantage and the weighted receiver made sure of the flexibility I required. In my opinion the result of Paul's expertise was the perfect cornet for me."