Richard Marshall BA (Hons.) LRSM
Principal Cornet

One of the finest cornet players of his generation, Richard began playing the cornet at the age of nine. Throughout his early playing years he became a recipient of numerous awards, such as the Harry Mortimer Brass Student of the Year, the Professor Charles Leggett Cornet Prize and he became the British Open Junior Solo Champion in successive years. It was in 1996, whilst at the age of nineteen that Richard became principal cornet of the Grimethorpe Colliery band, a position he held for ten years. During this time Richard gained a BA (Hons) in Band Studies and an LRSM in Bandmastership. He was also awarded the Soloist prize at the Brass in Concert Championship on no less than three occasions. His debut solo compact disc recording "The Debutante" was released in 1999, and his next recording "Blaze", released in 2005, received world-wide acclaim and was awarded Solo CD of the Year by the 'British Bandsman' and '4 Bars Rest'. His latest solo album, "Eminence", has also been awarded the Solo CD of the year by both the British Bandsman and Brass Band World and was voted Best Solo CD of the Year by viewers of the 4Barsrest website.

As a performer Richard has traveled to America, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and several European countries. He has performed solos in the worlds finest concert venues such as Sydney Opera House and Carnegie Hall. Richard is also a regular tutor with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and the National Youth Band of Wales. Richard became principal cornet of Black Dyke Band at the beginning of 2006. A position that is regarded as the "highest prized seat in banding". Richard is looking forward to many successful years with the band.

At the inaugural recital of Howarth's new work for cornet, Sonatina, in April 2008 commissioned and dedicated to Richard, Elgar Howarth said "Richard Marshall is the most outstanding cornet player that this country has ever had".