New Top Man at Rothwell 

Rothwell Temperance Band has announced the arrival of the highly talented, Harry Porthouse, as the band’s new Principal cornet. 
 
Being brought up in a banding family, Harry started playing the cornet from an early age. At the age of 15, Harry joined Tredegar Town Band. During this time, he has played in the National Finals, British Open and European contests as well as many prestigious concert performances such as the BBC Proms and RNCM Festivals. In addition to this, Harry’s European banding experience has included playing at the Austrian National Championships with Brass Band Oberosterreich, and a competition preparation weekend with Valasia Brass Band in Switzerland.  
 
Harry has been a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain for 4 years. Alongside this, he has been a playing member of the Gwent Youth Brass Band, National Youth Brass Band of Scotland, National Youth Brass Band of Wales and National Youth Brass Band of Switzerland. Harry started studying at the Royal Northern College of Music in September 2023, under the tutelage of Dr Roger Webster. In January 2024, Harry accepted the principal cornet seat at the City of Bradford Brass Band and competed with them at the Yorkshire area and the British Open Spring Festival earlier this year.  

Harry commented, “I was delighted to be asked to join RTB on principal cornet, they are a band I have admired for a long time. The band have a great reputation, and I am very excited to be working with MD David Roberts.” MD David Roberts added, “Harry has a lot of potential and I’m confident that he will develop here at Rothwell, like many before him have who held this position. He has already messaged me to say how much he is enjoying rehearsals, which I am glad to hear. His dad Ian and I have been friends for 40 years having been in the National Youth Band together then on the solo cornet bench of Black Dyke Mills band in 1993/94, and we were cornet tutors for the NYBB on a course a long time ago, so it was great to have a long phone call with Ian about Harry and his future here at RTB. I’m sure you will all join us in welcoming Harry.” 
 
The band look forward to a strong end to the year with some exciting concerts and aim for a competitive and successful 2025. 

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