Pemberton DW Band’s principal cornet player Joanne Johnson is celebrating a personal performance of the highest quality after gaining her Masters in Performance with distinction at Salford University.

Integral

Joanne has been the band’s principal cornet for the past 16 years joining them when they were in the Third Section and has been an integral part of their rise in becoming a prominent Championship Section force.

Loved it

She qualified as an optician in 2001, but decided to make the most of her musical abilities too and started the Masters course last year.

Joanne told 4BR: "I’ve absolutely loved the last twelve months at Salford; from having lessons with cornet legend Brian Taylor to making friends for life. I can’t thank the band and Mark Bentham enough for the time and effort they put into helping me prepare and accompany me for my final recital."

I can’t thank the band and Mark Bentham enough for the time and effort they put into helping me prepare and accompany me for my final recitalJoanne Johnson

Looking forward

She added: "The band has a very busy concert period to look forward to now with only a couple of free weekends to the end of the year, and we are all looking forward to taking part in the Scottish Open Championship in Perth in November."