Newly crowned Midlands Regional Champion, Virtuosi GUS, has announced that David Daws is set to become their new principal euphonium.

Complete

David will join from the Aveley & Newham Band after completing his outstanding commitments to the current Wychavon champion, where he has held the solo euphonium position for the last 18 months.

The former principal cornet player of the International Staff Band of the Salvation Army has made a highly successful change to euphonium, resulting in him helping the London & Southern Counties band to the Wychavon success last year and to increasingly impressive contest performances.

David took the ‘Best Soloist’ prize at that event, and was also the featured soloist in their well received programme at the Butlins Mineworkers Championship in Skegness earlier this year.

High profile role

He will take over the high profile role following in the footsteps of the respected duo of Mark Giles and Andy Hicks, and told 4BR that he is very excited at the prospect of playing with the band under MD Adam Cooke.

"Playing for a band like Virtuosi GUS was too good an opportunity to miss," he said. "I’m really looking forward to performing alongside such a great team of top class musicians."

First jobs

One of his first jobs will be to record alongside Virtuosi GUS stars Chris Jeans, James Fountain and Thomas Fountain on the forthcoming CD release of music by composer Simon Dobson.

A band spokesperson told 4BR: "Virtuosi GUS would like to thank Mark Giles for his outstanding commitment and performances as solo euphonium over a number of years, and also Andy Hicks for working with us since January, playing at Butlins and helping us secure an outstanding victory at the Midlands Regional Championship in Bedworth."

Playing for a band like Virtuosi GUS was too good an opportunity to miss. I’m really looking forward to performing alongside such a great team of top class musiciansDavid Daws

New role

In a separate announcement, the band also formally thanked Mike Smith for his tireless efforts as Band Manager over the last six years.

The spokesperson added: "The band has decided to restructure its management roles to help spread our increasing work load, which will enable Mike to take some well earned time off and allow him to enjoy his playing on BBb."