Former National Youth Band of Great Britain player Tom Smith has been announced as the new principal cornet of the Fairey Band.

The Royal Northern College of Music under graduate is a former member of the Camborne and Cornwall Youth Brass Bands and is regarded as one of the up and coming stars of the UK banding movement. He joins from Pemberton Old Band.

Footsteps

He follows in the footsteps of the likes of Norman Ashcroft, Philip McCann, Brian Taylor, and Ian Porthouse in holding one of the most prestigious principal cornet seats in the world of banding. He takes over from Stephanie Wilkins and takes up the role as soon as the Stockport band returns to rehearsal.

Speaking of his appointment, he told 4BR: "I'm delighted to be starting the next chapter of my banding career in this principal role with Fairey.

With other new appointments it also looks to be a very exciting time for the band and I'm thrilled to be a part of it under MD Adam Cooke."

I'm delighted to be starting the next chapter of my banding career in this principal role with FaireyTom Smith

Potential

Adam himself has only just joined the multiple major championship winners and told 4BR on his appointment that he was keen to bring young, talented players to the band.

He added: "It's great that we can attract a player of such potential and I can't wait to get working with Tom as soon as we get back to rehearsing.

His growing reputation as a top class soloist, as well as his forward-thinking approach to reaching new audiences himself online over the past few months make him the ideal candidate lead Fairey forward."