David Thornton (born 1978) is a British solo

euphonium The euphonium is a medium-sized, 3 or 4-valve, often compensating, conical-bore, tenor-voiced brass instrument that derives its name from the Ancient Greek word ''euphōnos'', meaning "well-sounding" or "sweet-voiced" ( ''eu'' means "well" ...

player for the

Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band The Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band is a British brass band formed in 1881. The band is based in Brighouse, in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, England. The band is known across the world, and is regarded by many as the best and most consistent "p ...

Biography

Thornton began learning the euphonium at the age of eight and was soon after accepted as the first ever euphonium student at

Chetham's School of Music Chetham's School of Music () is an independent co-educational music school in Manchester, England. Chetham's educates students between the ages of 8 and 18, all of whom enter via musical auditions. Students receive a full academic education alon ...

in Manchester, England. During this time he held the principal euphonium position of the

National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain National may refer to: Common uses * Nation or country ** Nationality – a ''national'' is a person who is subject to a nation, regardless of whether the person has full rights as a citizen Places in the United States * National, Maryland, ce ...

. David went on to the

Royal Northern College of Music The Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) is a conservatoire located in Manchester, England. It is one of four conservatoires associated with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. In addition to being a centre of music education ...

, where he studied with

Steven Mead Steven Mead (born 1962 in Bournemouth, England) is an English virtuoso euphonium soloist and teacher who has played an important role in achieving worldwide recognition of the instrument. He has played solo concerti with many symphony orchestras, ...

, graduating in 2000. In July 2000 he was appointed as principal euphonium of the Black Dyke Band. He left the Band at the end of 2010. Thornton has earned several awards including scholarships from the

Countess of Munster Trust The Countess of Munster Musical Trust is a charity based in Godalming, Surrey, England, that provides scholarships, prizes and loans to support young musicians in the United Kingdom. History The trust was founded in 1958 by Hilary Wilson (9 March ...

and the Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe, the National Euphonium Conference Solo Prize 1995, 1997 and 1999, first prize at the Verso Il Millenio International Euphonium Competition, and the International Euphonium Player of the Year 2001. He has been featured on

BBC Television BBC Television is a service of the BBC. The corporation has operated a public broadcast television service in the United Kingdom, under the terms of a royal charter, since 1927. It produced television programmes from its own studios from 193 ...

BBC Radio BBC Radio is an operational business division and service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a royal charter since 1927). The service provides national radio stations covering th ...

and Classic FM. David has performed as a guest player with the

BBC Philharmonic Orchestra The BBC Philharmonic is a national British broadcasting symphony orchestra and is one of five radio orchestras maintained by the British Broadcasting Corporation. The Philharmonic is a department of the BBC North Group division based at MediaC ...

, Birmingham's Royal Ballet, and Remix-Ensemble (Portugal's premier contemporary group). Thornton teaches at the Royal Northern College of Music, the

University of Huddersfield , mottoeng = Thus not for you alone , established = 1825 – Huddersfield Science and Mechanics' Institute1992 – university status , type = Public , endowment = £2.47 million (2015) , chancellor = George W. Buckley , vice_chancel ...

, the

University of Leeds , mottoeng = And knowledge will be increased , established = 1831 – Leeds School of Medicine1874 – Yorkshire College of Science1884 - Yorkshire College1887 – affiliated to the federal Victoria University1904 – University of Leeds , ...

, the

University of Manchester , mottoeng = Knowledge, Wisdom, Humanity , established = 2004 – University of Manchester Predecessor institutions: 1956 – UMIST (as university college; university 1994) 1904 – Victoria University of Manchester 1880 – Victoria Univer ...

and Chetham's School of Music. He became Associate Conductor of the Longridge band, based near

Preston, Lancashire Preston () is a city on the north bank of the River Ribble in Lancashire, England. The city is the administrative centre of the county of Lancashire and the wider City of Preston local government district. Preston and its surrounding distri ...

, in 2003.

Discography

Solo albums

* 2004: ''Three Worlds'' * 2007: ''Devil's Duel''

Featured as soloist

* 2001: Essential Dyke III * 2001: Epic Brass * 2002: Black Dyke Plays Verdi * 2002: Call of the Cossacks * 2003: Spectacular Classics Vol. 3 * 2004: Essential Dyke IV * 2004: Trumpets of the Angels * 2004: Kapitol Brass – Highlights of the 2004 National Finals * 2004: Spectacular Classics Vol. 4 * 2005: Essential Dyke V * 2005: Spectacular Classics Vol. 5 * 2006: The Black Dyke Christmas Carol *Jubilee Brass *Portrait of Peter Graham

DVD appearance as soloist

* 2001: Epic Brass

References

External links

David Thornton's website

Profile on the Black Dyke Band website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thornton, David Academics of the University of Huddersfield 1978 births Living people People educated at Chetham's School of Music