4BR has been informed that National Champion Brighouse & Rastrick has acted swiftly to the departure of Kathleen Gaspoz as principal cornet, by appointing the New Zealand cornet star Kyle Lawson to the role with immediate effect.

Return

Kyle was principal cornet with the West Riding band in 2015 before returning to New Zealand to complete his professional career with the New Zealand Army Band.

The inaugural winner of the prestigious 'New Zealand Young Brass Musician of the Year' title, he has been a recipient of the Dame Adrienne Stewart Performance Bursary since 2010, and has also won both the Australian and New Zealand cornet championships — the latter on three occasions.

It is understood that Kyle will continue his musical education at the University of Salford as a transfer student from Victoria University, Wellington.

Everyone at Brighouse welcomes his return to the band and his appointment to the principal cornet chair as we continue our preparation for the British OpenBrighouse & Rastrick Band

Remarkable player

A spokesman for Brighouse & Rastrick told 4BR: "Kyle is a remarkable cornet player, well acquainted with top class banding in the UK and abroad.

Everyone at Brighouse welcomes his return to the band and his appointment to the principal cornet chair as we continue our preparation for the British Open."

In response Kyle told 4BR: "It's great to be back living in the UK and I'm particularly proud to be offered the opportunity to once again play for Brighouse & Rastrick."