Solo Cornets

Matt Atkinson
Principal Cornet

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

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.

Kevin Hawkins
Solo Cornet
Committee Member - Marketing

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!