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.

Laura Winspear

Solo Cornet

Laura began playing the trumpet at the age of 11 under the tuition of Adele Sellers. Enjoying membership of a number of NMPAT county groups, Laura became principal trumpet of the County Youth Orchestra, County Youth Concert Band, and Principal Cornet of the County Youth Brass Band. In order to improve her sight reading Laura originally joined the band in the year 2000 (a great period for the band who won the the Midlands Regional Area, and rose to the championship section over the next few years). Laura left the band to study History at University and after some time living in Australia and London, Laura is now happily settled in Duston, Northampton with her husband, three children and four cats. (She is still working on her sight reading!)

Holly Winspear
Solo Cornet

Holly started playing cornet at the age of 7 under Giles Liddiard. She is currently Principal Cornet of the Northamptonshire County Youth Brass Band and also plays trumpet in the Northamptonshire County Youth Concert Band, and has been on the NMPAT Czechia Tour in 2023 and the NMPAT Germany Tour in 2025. She joined TSB in the summer of 2021, and her favourite moment with the band was performing at the National Finals in Cheltenham in 2024. Holly has also featured as a soloist in a few concerts. Most recently, Holly has been under the teaching of John Bickerdike, and has passed her grade 7 cornet exam with merit. She is also the proud recipient of the Young Player of the Year Award (2022) and the Most Improved Player Award (2024) In her spare time (when she's not practicing), Holly also practices piano and flugel (which she played a year on in NMPAT) and has started to learn acoustic guitar.

Amy Waller
Solo Cornet