North Shore Brass in New Zealand have welcomed the permanent signing of Belgian cornet star Harmen Vanhoorne who will join the band in January after deciding to move to the country to join his partner Julia.
The Besson artist has performed with the band in the National Championships and other events since 2015, winning the Best Principal Cornet award event in 2015 and 2019.
Huge impression
North Shore MD, Colin Clark told 4BR: "Harmen has made a huge impression since first performing with us in 2015. His extensive knowledge and passion for music mean has seen him become a natural leader within the band, helping to develop players of all levels.
I look forward to working closely with Harmen to further develop our performances, both in concert and on the contest stage."
Dream
In response Harmen told 4BR: "I've fallen for New Zealand on each occasion I've visited and can now fulfil my dream of performing, teaching and assisting the North Shore Brass Academy in a country I love.
I'm thankful to the management team at North Shore in assisting with my move, especially Andrew Leech who is the NZ Besson representative."
Honoured
Harmen made his last appearance with Brassband Buizingen in leading them at the recent Belgian Championships will make the move after Christmas to link up with the ambitious New Zealand outfit based in Takapuna on the North Shore area of Auckland.
He added: "I felt honoured to take the baton at Brass Band Buizingen, a band with a very strong reputation and track record.
I think the band will be in very able hands with their new MD, and I wish them a bright future!"
I've fallen for New Zealand on each occasion I've visited and can now fulfil my dream of performing, teaching and assisting the North Shore Brass Academy in a country I loveHarmen Vamhoorne
Academy
The North Shore Band has recently built an Academy which now boats four bands, with Band President Owen Melhuish telling 4BR that the arrival of Harmen will be a huge boost of that artistic development.
He said: "Harmen will be available for private lessons from late January 2020 and we are sure that he will be very busy with students from across Auckland as well as our Academy and other brass musicians seeking to have their playing reach another level."
