Solo Cornets

A brass band in concert/competition would normally field 4 solo cornets.  We have the luxury of having a few more than that.  This section contains the following players:

1. Dudley Wilson
2. Trevor Knight
3. James Smith
4. Dave Kaplen
5. Edouard Zola
6. Edmund Brice
7. Gerhard de Jager (also see "Conductors")

The additional numbers are useful in that we can usually put forward a full bench in concerts, even when 2 are away or otherwise engaged.

The solo cornets tend to "carry the tune" in the band in much the same way that the violin section would in a full orchestra.

The cornet has the same pitch as a trumpet but differs in that it has a conical bore - the tubing gets wider as we move from the mouthpiece to the bell (where the sound comes out).  This means that the tone of the cornet is softer and rounder than the sharp attacking tone of the trumpet.  This is consistent with the role of the cornet in a brass band (deliver the tune) as opposed to the role of a trumpet in an orchestra (provide fanfares, colour and emphasis).  With this in mind we are trying to teach our cornet players how to play softly....