The St. Dennis Band has announced the signing of percussionist John Mitchell.

Professional Musical Director Darren Hawken told 4BR: "I'm thrilled that John is signing in time for the West of England Area contest. I've known him for some time and he is without doubt one of the finest percussionists in the UK.

With many contests and high profile concerts in our diary for 2017 his addition will now allow us to explore different contemporary repertoire."

Experience

John studied percussion and timpani at Trinity College of Music and with extensive brass band experience he also added performances with the likes the English National Ballet & Opera Orchestra, Royal National Theatre, Bournemouth Sinfionetta and a number London West End musicals.

I'm extremely pleased to have been asked by Darren to play for St Dennis. It's a band with an incredible heritage and to be part of that is a great honourJohn Mitchell

Cornwall return

Since returning to Cornwall he divides his full time teaching commitments between teaching Drums and Percussion within county secondary schools and classroom music teaching at Redruth School and Sixth Form.

He added: "I'm extremely pleased to have been asked by Darren to play for St Dennis. It's a band with an incredible heritage and to be part of that is a great honour."