New Flugel at Black Dyke
Black Dyke has announced Stephanie Wilkins as its new flugel horn player, replacing Zoe Lovatt-Cooper, who held the seat for a decade. Steph is a former graduate of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and Harry Mortimer Award Winner who during her time in Wales played at Cory on Repiano and Flugel for seven years. More recently Steph was Principal Cornet with the Fairey Band, and latterly enjoyed several innovative lockdown projects with Grimethorpe Colliery on Repiano.
Black Dyke’s Music Director Professor Nicholas Childs commented, “It is always sad when you lose a player of Zoe’s calibre however departure creates opportunity. Steph is making a great name for herself and I am sure will grasp the opportunity at Black Dyke. She has all the qualities of a fine soloist underpinned by an outstanding sound. We look forward to welcoming her into the band when local restrictions allow us to return.”
Steph commented “Having played Flugel during my time at Cory, I knew this was an opportunity which I simply couldn’t pass on. I have always had a passion for the instrument and can’t wait for the new challenges and opportunities which lie ahead. I’ve always admired Black Dyke as a band and can’t wait to get started with them, even through these unprecedented times, and am hugely looking forward to working with both Nick and the band.”
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