NABBA Solo Contest

Cornet, soprano cornet and trumpet: Tom Smith

Principal Cornet, Brighouse & Rastrick Band

Tom Smith is Principal Cornet of the world-famous Brighouse & Rastrick Band, a position he has held since 2020. Originally from Cornwall, Tom began his brass banding journey with Camborne Youth Band before moving to Manchester in 2018 to study at the Royal Northern College of Music, graduating in 2022 with First Class Honours. He was also a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain from 2016 to 2018. Alongside his brass playing, Tom is a keen DJ and music producer, and works as Lead Educator and Content Creator at Crossfader DJ School, combining his passion for music, education and creativity.

Flugelhorn, tenor horn and French horn: Lucy Cutt

Flugelhorn, Brighouse & Rastrick Band

Lucy began playing at the age of 8 with the Marple Junior Band. Progressing through the B Band, she eventually joined other members of her family in the Marple (senior) Band at the age of 18 in 1990, making her first appearance at the Grand Shield that year, where the band qualified for their first of many appearances at the British Open. Several very successful years followed with Marple, the most memorable being when the unsponsored, village band were crowned British Open Champions in 1996. She went on to join the Fairey Band in January 2004 and spent 5 enjoyable years with them. Following a brief break from banding, Lucy joined Brighouse & Rastrick in January 2011 and with the band, achieved a number of titles at the Yorkshire Regional contest, and a National title at the Royal Albert Hall. As a former Yamaha artist, she performed as guest soloist, worked with the NYBBGB as a flugel horn tutor, and on various other band courses. After 3 years with the Desford Band, Lucy returned to B&R in September 2025.

Tenor and bass trombone: Joe Heartfield

Principal Trombone, Brighouse & Rastrick Band

Originally from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, Joe began playing the trombone at the age of six under the guidance of Stan Lippeatt. In 2017, he achieved a remarkable double win, taking home the prestigious solo prize at both the National and European Youth Brass Band Championships while performing with the Elland Silver Youth Band. He then went on to secure the Principal Trombone seat with both The National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain and the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. Joe’s musical journey has seen him rise through the ranks of several ensembles, including The Sherwood Forest Brass, The Blidworth Welfare Band, The Yorkshire Imperial Band, and the Rothwell Temperance Band. He has also been a key member of the renowned Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band, where he served as Principal Trombone. In this role, he contributed to the band’s continued success on both the contest and concert stage, most recently featuring as their soloist at the 2023 Brass in Concert festival. Now a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music, Joe is the Principal Trombone of the world famous Brighouse & Rastrick Band and continues to develop as a versatile performer. Beyond the brass band scene, he performs regularly with professional organisations and is a full-time member of the dynamic brass ensemble Atomic Brass, celebrated for their high-energy performances across a wide range of genres.

Euphonium and baritone: Chris Robertson

Principal Euphonium, Brighouse & Rastrick Band

From Carnoustie, Scotland, Chris began playing euphonium at the age of 10. He is the euphonium tutor at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and has been Principal Euphonium of Brighouse & Rastrick since 2018. During this time his accolades include wins and solo prizes at the British Open, Brass in Concert, the Yorkshire Area and Whit Friday. As well as a 1st Class Honours degree, he also graduated from the RNCM’s prestigious International Artist Diploma course as a member of A4 Brass Quartet and is now an Associate Member and Honorary Associate Artist of the College. Chris is a highly sought after soloist and teacher and plays as a soloist throughout the UK as well as recent performances in Switzerland, Ireland, Sweden, Lithuania, Isle of Man, Norway, Japan and Finland. He also co-hosts the acclaimed "That's Not Banding" podcast alongside Tom Smith

Tuba: Shaun Crowther

Principal Tuba, Brighouse & Rastrick Band

Long regarded as one of the finest Eb tuba players in the British brass banding movement, Shaun served as Fairey Band’s Principal Tuba for 25 years and Grimethorpe Colliery Band’s for a further 20. He has become one of the most recognisable personalities in top flight banding, with his playing (as well as his dry humour) becoming an integral part of Grimethorpe’s success on the contest and concert stage. Shaun joined the world famous Brighouse and Rastrick Band in May 2024. An experienced music teacher, Shaun has tutored at the University of Huddersfield, Hull Music Service, and on courses across the country and as far afield as Australia.

Percussion: Sam Milton

Principal Percussion, Brighouse & Rastrick Band

Sam first started playing percussion in his local brass band a young age, and is now the principal percussionist of the Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band with whom he performs regularly in concerts and competitions across the UK and Europe. He is also a current Tutor for the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. Sam studied at Leeds Conservatoire, developing a passion for improvising and contemporary music. He further explored this at the Royal National College of Music, where he performed entirely original music and RNCM premieres in his recent masters final recital. Outside of brass bands, Sam collaborates with his ensemble Kastos, featuring saxophonist Oliver Pritchard Jones and pianist Matthew Daniels. He’s also a core member of the Storytelling Ensemble, improvising music for book readings, silent films, and other storytelling traditions.

Brass finals: Daniel Tembras

Purdue University Fort Wayne

Percussion finals: Kevin Kosnik