Stephanie Wilkins Takes Principal at Fairey Band

Cornish musician, Stephanie Wilkins, has been appointed principal cornet player for the mighty Fairey Band, one of the world’s finest brass bands.

Stephanie began her music career at the age of eight, playing cornet for Mount Charles Youth Band. She also played for St Austell Band and later moved back to Mount Charles to join the senior band. Meanwhile, at the age of eleven, she was invited to audition for the Cornwall Youth Brass Band (CYBB). Being a member of this long-established youth band provided her with the opportunity of playing under some of the best conductors in the world. She remained a member for ten years, four of which she held the position of principal cornet. Reflecting on her time there she told A4B: “I am very proud of having been a member of the CYBB and am thankful for the opportunities that it provided”.

In 2011 it was time to move on and Stephanie began studying at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) where she gained a BMus (Hons) Degree. Whilst there she won the Phillip Jones Brass Ensemble prize in two 2 consecutive years, was a finalist for the Linda Mowat Brass Award and the winner of the Harry Mortimer Award for RWCMD’s Outstanding Brass Musician which was presented at the British Open Championships.

Having spent a short time with Tongwynlais Temperance Band, she was invited by Dr Robert Childs to join the Cory Band where she remained for seven enjoyable years helping them to win the ‘Grand Slam’ (British open and National Championship of Great Britain) and accompanying them on their tours to America and Australia.

A career move took her north to Manchester and to an exciting offer from Garry Cutt, Professional Conductor of the Fairey Band. Stephanie was delighted to be offered and take up the role of principal Cornet for the Fairey Band. She told A4B: “I feel very proud and honoured to receive the invitation and am really looking forward to the new challenge”.

A spokesperson for the Cornwall Youth Band wished to send their best wishes to Stephanie, telling A4B: ‘The members of the Cornwall Youth Brass Band are delighted to send Stephanie their congratulations. She is an inspiration and we wish her every success in her banding career. Cornwall Youth Brass Band are now currently auditioning for the coming season, please contact Robert Kitchen on 01752 847627 or email at [email protected].