The Wingates Band has strengthened its ranks ahead of its Grand Shield assault at the British Open Spring Festival in Blackpool in May with the signing of Thomas Whittington from Norway.

Oslo

Thomas, who hails from Oslo is currently in his second year at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester studying tenor horn and has previously played solo horn with Hasle Brass and Oslo Brass, as well as Diggle Band in the UK.

Meanwhile, Nicola Shaw has moved on to flugel after playing repiano cornet with the band for the last two and half years.

I'm sure they will be great assets to the band, and I'm excited to work with this talented duo as we look ahead to the challenge of 'Reflections on Swan Lake' at the Grand ShieldMD, Paul Andrews

Great assets

Wingates MD, Paul Andrews told 4BR: "Both Tom and Nicola are settling in nicely after just a week and both have already shown their musical abilities and solo qualities.

I'm sure they will be great assets to the band, and I'm excited to work with this talented duo as we look ahead to the challenge of 'Reflections on Swan Lake' at the Grand Shield."