Shirley Band Debuts Dynamic Duo

Two new players join the ranks of the Shirley Band as we look to consolidate our position in the Championship Section in 2023.

Joining the band are Emily Fawthrop on Solo Horn and Wai-Yin Yeung on cornet.

Emily is in her final year of a psychology degree at the University of Warwick, hoping to go into a career relating to medicine and is heavily involved with music at the University where she is a music scholar, President of the Brass Society and also a student conductor.

Emily found her niche with her local band as the only spare instrument they had was a tenor horn, and she hasn’t looked back since. Emily gained experience playing with bands such as Lofthouse Brass Band and has had the opportunity to learn from some of the best players in the country including James Shepherd, Sheona Wade and Arfon Owen. Emily is excited to be joining the band on solo horn, and making her mark at the Midlands Area Contest in Corby

Also joining the band is Wai-Yin Yeung. Originally from Hong Kong, Wai-Yin is a trumpet player who moved to the UK in 2022. Wai-Yin graduated from the Hong Kong Baptist University with a Bachelor of Art (Honours) in Music Studies, studying with Ka-Hing Fung (who was previously Principal Trumpet, Hong Kong Sinfonietta). Before this she had trumpet lessons with other teachers such as Christopher Moyse (Co-Principal Trumpet, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra), Amos Lee and Ho-Ming Jim. Much of Wai-Yin’s experiences as a player are in wind bands, brass ensembles and swing bands. Wai-Yin is currently working as a brass teacher in the UK. The Shirley Band is Wai-Yin’s first experience of playing in a British brass band.

Speaking about the signings, Musical Director Tom Stoneman said: “I’m pleased that we have continued to attract and recruit players of this standard. I had known Emily a while though my work at Warwick University, and as soon as the vacancy arose I knew she was the right player for the band. Wai-Yin is already having an impact on the quality of the cornet section and I’m delighted that both players have joined the band- showing our ambition and drive to build a successful championship section band.”

Both players will make their contest debuts at the Midlands Area Contest on 26th February 2023.

February 2023