The Brass in Concert champion, the cooperation band, has announced their pride at the news that John Wallace CBE has accepted their invitation to become its new Honorary Vice President.

The band stated that it recognised, "a lifetime of outstanding contribution to music and his deep, enduring connection with the band."

Most respected

Long regarded as one of the UKs most respected and influential musicians, educators and cultural leaders, his career has achieved global acclaim, with a legacy that also includes pioneering research, recordings, advocacy and activism.

He served as Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland from 2002 to 2014, where he helped shape one of Europe's leading conservatoires. His services to music were recognised with the award of a CBE.

Close relationship

Over recent years, he developed a close relationship with the cooperation band — one built on shared musical values and a mutual commitment to artistic excellence. This has seen the initiation of a number of projects bringing together brass band tradition and wider musical influences — including the most recent, 'The Invisible Symphony', a landmark project based on Giovanni Gabrieli's Canzoni et Sonate (1615), transcribed by John Wallace himself.

The project further exemplified his vision, scholarship and creative daring.

His artistry, leadership and generosity of spirit have enriched our band and the banding movement as a whole, and inspired everyone who has worked with him. We are immensely proud to welcome him as our Honorary Vice Presidentthe cooperation band

Spirit

Commenting on the appointment, a spokesperson for the cooperation band said: "John Wallace's musical influence is immeasurable. His artistry, leadership and generosity of spirit have enriched our band and the banding movement as a whole, and inspired everyone who has worked with him.

We are immensely proud to welcome him as our Honorary Vice President."