Sovereign Brass are delighted to announce that Josh Pope has accepted the position of Principal Cornet with the band.
Josh is a first-year student at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire where he currently studies cornet under the direction of Richard Marshall. He started playing the cornet at the age of seven, learning the trade whilst playing in brass, wind and jazz ensembles. He joined the renowned Fodens Youth Brass Band in 2017, on Repiano Cornet, before a rapid promotion to Principal Cornet under the tutelage of Mark Wilkinson.
Josh previously played with the Gresley Colliery Brass Band and the Ratby Mid Band. He initially joined Sovereign Brass in 2023 on flugelhorn as maternity cover, and has impressed the band with his artistic and soloistic playing in that seat and as Assistant Principal Cornet.
Josh is happy: "I'm really looking forward to playing end-chair in the band. We have some amazing players, a great MD, and the potential to make some great concert and contest performances and memories as we grow and work together."
Musical Director Alan Gifford added: "I've known Josh since he joined the RBC and have always been impressed by his playing, his musicianship and his attitude to 'banding.' Having him as a principal player in Sovereign Brass is something I'm excited about and we'll definitely be featuring him as a soloist in some of our upcoming concerts."