The Sterling Virtuoso euphonium continues to make a huge impression on players from all over the banding world — as well as helping them win major solo prizes in the process.

UK and Sweden

After David Thornton recently claimed the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ award at the National Finals at the Albert Hall thanks to his outstanding performance on a Sterling Virtuoso euphonium with Brighouse & Rastrick, news comes that Håkan Wikenstål of Solna Brass has now emulated his achievement at the recent Swedish National Championships.

Håkan’s wonderful individual contribution to the own choice performance of Philip Sparke’s ‘A Tale As Yet Untold’ saw him claim up the ‘Best Soloist’ Award — and he was in no doubt about what helped him most to win it!

Biggest achievement

He told 4BR: "I am still in a mood of shock. This is my biggest achievement as a brass musician since I started to play as a 9 year old, incorporating my 7 years in different music genres and 10 years as a professional musician."

Fantastic support

He added: "My change to Sterling earlier this year has made my playing so much more secure, as I can now rely on the fantastic support from the instrument — enabling me to be calm in an otherwise stressful situation playing a big solo in a major competition.

I know the Virtuoso euphonium has done this for me as a player – and I can’t thank Sterling enough. It feels fantastic to play every day!"

I know the Virtuoso euphonium has done this for me as a player – and I can’t thank Sterling enough. It feels fantastic to play every day!Håkan Wikenstål

Delighted

Sterling Managing Director Paul Riggett was in Värnamo on the weekend and was delighted that the prize was won in such wonderful fashion.

"People were telling me all about Håkan’s performance at the event, and I then saw him tweet about the result as I was making the long drive back through the snow to the airport.

It was a wonderful achievement and great news for both Håkan and Sterling."