
Solo Cornets

Matt Atkinson
Principal Cornet
Librarian
Matt first picked up the cornet when he was 9 years old. He joined his first Brass Band at the age of 13, and spent his next 6 years progressing through the Northamptonshire County Youth Brass system. Whilst at University, Matt was keen to sign up to the Keele University Brass Band, where he was quickly appointed the position of Principal Cornet. Playing in Unibrass, Matt got a taste of Brass Band contesting. After graduating from Keele, Matt joined Olney Brass where he has spent the last 9 years. During this time he competed with the band at two National Finals. Even before joining TSB, Matt has been no stranger to the band. Matt has performed with TSB at numerous engagements, attending the Butlins 2020 contest, and the Germany Tour in 2022. As of October 2023, Matt officially joins TSB on Principal Cornet. Matt‘s favourite Brass Band pieces include Paganini Variations, The Torchbearer, and Fire in the Blood.

John Martin
Solo Cornet
John learned to play cornet age 8 in High Wycombe Salvation Army ‘junior band’, throughout early years of playing enjoyed touring Denmark / Scandinavia & Germany with school orchestra as principle cornet. At age 16 John progressed to the senior band at High Wycombe Salvation Army where he played Soprano cornet for many years, alternating with solo cornet occasionally when required and eventually progressing to principle cornet for some 8 years. John also enjoyed playing a varied repertoire of music with other brass bands in the area like ‘Ascot Brass’ for a few years until moving areas and joining Kettering Salvation Army Band on solo cornet, becoming a member of Towcester Studio Band’s solo cornet section mid-2016

Holly Winspear
Solo Cornet
Holly started learning the cornet at the age of 8 under the tuition of Giles Liddiard. Enjoying county groups, she started in the junior ensembles and is currently the flugel player with the County Youth Brass Band and also plays trumpet in County Youth Concert Band. Holly has also done concerts with Youth Brass 2000. Holly joined TSB in the summer of 2021 as has taken part in the regional Area competition with Towcester Studio Band three times so far and has also featured as a soloist at a number of concerts. In her spare time, Holly plays piano, enjoys time with her 4 cats and her family, and has been practicing chess. Most recently Holly has been under the teaching of John Bickerdike and is on grade 7. Holly is the proud recipient of Young Player of The Year for 2022. Holly has also recently become a member of Youth Brass 2000. The TSB band members are also grateful for the delicious cupcakes that Holly makes for us from time to time (watch out bake off).

Kevin Hawkins
Solo Cornet
Kevin first joined TSB junior Band in 1967, soon graduated to senior ranks and enjoyed many years playing Repiano cornet. He left the Band in the early eighties to pursue sporting interests and returned in January 2013 after a considerable break!

David Nicholson
Solo Cornet
David started playing sporano cornet at the age of 7. He has played with the band on and off for 17 years, playing solo horn, flugel and principal cornet for a short spell in 2005. He also has grade 8 piano.