The Purcell School is delighted to announce that Mike Cavanagh has been appointed as its new Head of Wind, Brass and Percussion, starting in September 2024.

Mike Cavanagh is a Professor of Baritone Horn and Tutor in Chamber Music at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM). He is also Solo Baritone of the internationally celebrated Black Dyke Band, a member of the acclaimed chamber ensemble A4 Brass Quartet and a Performance Artist for Besson Musical Instruments.

Mike, a First Class Honours graduate of RNCM, co-founded the award-winning A4 Brass Quartet during his studies and has since thrived as a chamber musician. With A4 Brass, he clinched prestigious accolades including the Royal Over-Seas League Chamber Music competition and the Royal Philharmonic Society Henderson Chamber Music prize, amongst others. His commitment to expanding the reach of the Baritone Horn has led to performances at renowned venues worldwide, from Wigmore Hall to the Queen Elizabeth Hall, and appearances in countries such as Japan, Lithuania and Switzerland. As an Associate Member of the RNCM with A4 Brass Quartet, Mike made history as the first ensemble to receive this distinction. Additionally, his tenure with the Black Dyke Band and Grimethorpe Colliery Band has seen him grace stages across the UK and beyond, including notable appearances at the Royal Albert Hall and Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage.

Of the appointment Mike Cavanagh comments: ‘I am absolutely delighted to become the Head of Wind, Brass and Percussion at the internationally renowned Purcell School. To have the opportunity to help shape the future of music at the oldest music school in Great Britain is incredibly exciting and I cannot wait to get started in September.’

Paul Bambrough, Principal of The Purcell School since 2018, comments: ‘I am both thrilled and excited to announce this important appointment. Mike is an exceptional musician and has an inspiring vision for the future of the department. I have no doubt that both students and colleagues will greatly enjoy working with him, that together they will build on the significant achievements of his predecessors and the department will continue to thrive and develop in the coming years.’

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