Luke Barker is a Geneva Young Ambassador
Luke Barker is the most recent appointment by Geneva Group as a Young Ambassador. Commenting on the signing a spokesperson for Geneva stated, “We are delighted to welcome our latest Young Ambassador to the Geneva Group, Luke Barker. Luke is a fantastic young talent that was recently appointed principal cornet of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, and who plays on the New Geneva Heritage Cornet.”
Luke hails from the north Cotswolds and began playing the cornet at the age of 8 as a member of the Shipston Town Band organisation. Coming from a non-musical family, he
benefitted weekly tuition sessions from David Birch and from playing alongside long-time experienced members. Luke was Principal cornet of all bands in the organisation and from a
very young age was regularly featured as a soloist at concerts and contests.
The year 2018 saw a move to Jaguar Land Rover band, in September, where he played solo cornet and, in December, Luke gained his DipABRSM in Cornet Performance with
distinction. Luke moved to play solo cornet with the Flowers Band in June 2019 and he has recently progressed to the Assistant Principal Cornet seat.
Throughout his playing career, he has been the winner of many solo competitions and other accolades, including being named the overall champion of both the West Midlands and
Oxford District brass band associations solo contests in 2019. Luke was also the winner of the recent International Geneva Heritage Slow Melody contest, judged by Philip McCann
and Kirsty Abbotts, and was awarded the new Geneva Heritage cornet which he now plays. Luke is a former Principal cornet with the National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain as
well as the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and completed 12 courses as a member of the organisation. Luke balances his time between his studies of French and
Spanish at the University of Birmingham and his time music making where he aspires to further his ability and progress as a cornet player.
Geneva Artist and legendary cornet player Phillip McCann is also full of praise for the Young Ambassador, stating recently on social media, “My sincere congratulations to Luke Barker , the recent Overall Winner of my Geneva Group Heritage Cornet International Slow Melody Competition and Leader/Principal Cornet The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. Personally, so satisfying to hear the joy he is having playing on my New Geneva Heritage Cornet, a star on cornet for sure.”
Clearly delighted with the appointment Luke explained his choice of instrument, “The new Geneva Heritage cornet is the perfect instrument for lyrical playing. It allows young players like myself to express our own musicality with its ease throughout the range and free blowing nature, combined with fantastic technical dexterity. It is an instrument of the highest quality which produces the best sound.”
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