Posted: 24/03/26
Derwent Brass is delighted to announce the signing of Elise Hale on Repiano Cornet, as the band continues to strengthen its ranks ahead of an exciting period that includes its debut appearance at the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall.
Elise first performed with the band at this year’s Regional Championships on Repiano Cornet, and now joins the band on a permanent basis. Her arrival also forms part of a wider cornet section reshuffle, with Tom Wallage moving from Repiano Cornet to the Solo Cornet bench as the band continues to develop and refine its line-up.
She brings an impressive and diverse musical background, having started playing at the age of eight through the Cyprus Music Service before continuing her development in the UK with Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust (NMPAT). During this time, she performed across county youth concert band, big band and brass band, initially on Flugelhorn before becoming Principal Cornet at just 16. She has also benefited from tuition with leading figures in the brass band world, including Keith Britcliffe of the Black Dyke Band.
Her achievements in youth banding are particularly notable. As a member of Youth Brass 2000, Elise has won three National Youth Brass Band Championships, performed at three European Youth Brass Band Championships (with a fourth upcoming), and was awarded Best Soloist at Brass in Concert in 2024. She has also represented the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain on Flugelhorn.
Elise began her senior banding career with Harborough Band in 2021 on cornet, later moving to percussion in 2023, and has since gained valuable experience depping with leading bands including GUS, Desford and Carlton Main.
Alongside her performing career, Elise is also widely recognised for her work running “Brassing Around”, a brass band journalism and social media platform sharing news, events and updates from across the movement. Through this, she has received a number of national accolades, including Brass Bands England Young Bandsperson of the Year (2023), BBC Young Reporter of the Year (2023), and the British Bandsman “Looking to the Future” Award.
Currently studying Flugelhorn at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire under Ian Porthouse, Elise has already performed as a soloist at major venues including the Royal Albert Hall, The Glasshouse (Gateshead) and Symphony Hall, Birmingham, and benefits from extra tuition from the likes of Richard Marshall.
Despite joining on Repiano Cornet, Elise will make her first public appearances with the band on Flugelhorn, featuring at ConsTest in the coming weeks before appearing later the same day at Derby Cathedral in collaboration with the UK's best selling classical artist, Russell Watson.
Speaking about the signing, Music Director Jack Capstaff commented:
“Elise is a wonderful young musician and exactly the type of player we’re looking to bring into the band. There’s a real focus for us on building for the future, developing a strong and sustainable group, and continuing the momentum we’ve created over the past couple of years. It’s an exciting time for Derwent Brass, and bringing in players like Elise is a big part of that journey.”
The signing reflects the band’s continued progress and focus on building for the future, as preparations gather pace ahead of a landmark year.
