Midlands based SPAL Sovereign Brass has broadened its player profile base with the signing of Lithuanian cornet player Vakarė Gikytė, to take on the repiano role.

Hailing from Vilnus, Vakarė studied trumpet under Adomas Kontautas at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, and as part of her studies she took the opportunity this year to spend a period on a traineeship at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC).

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That has proved so successful that Vakarė decided to apply for an Erasmus exchange programme position to study there for the year under the guidance of Ian Porthouse and Richard Marshall.

Vakarė was invited to a SPAL Sovereign rehearsal by MD Alan Gifford after spotting her talents conducting the RBC Brass Band, after which she was offered and accepted the position.

Enjoying

She told 4BR: "I've been playing cornet for 10 years and always wanted to visit the UK to experience the brass band scene in person. I'm thrilled to be playing for a local band whilst staying in Birmingham. I'm really enjoying my time with Sovereign and love the atmosphere at the RBC."

In response a band spokesperson added: "We are delighted to welcome Vakarė where she has already proved to be a great asset, helping us achieve top six finish at the recent Wychavon Festival of Brass contest."