2009 Awardee: Iain Culross

I would like to thank the trustees for deciding to offer me an award to help with my studies leading to a master’s degree in performance.

Biography

Dundee-born Iain has been a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland since the age of 11, the same year he won the British Open Junior Solo title. Since then, he has been principal cornet (leader) for several brass bands, including the prestigious Yorkshire Building Society Band, based in Huddersfield.

Iain has had many notable successes in competitions, including winning best brass player four times at the Perth Festival from 2000-2004 and the Premier Class winner of Best Overall Soloist in 2003. In 2006 he beat several well-known cornet players when he won Best Principal Cornet for his performance with Sellers International Band at the “Brass in Concert Championships” in Gateshead. He led the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland on their tour of Japan with great distinction.

Iain is considered by many to be one of the finest young cornet players in Scotland of his generation and to be one of the three best cornetists to have studied at the University of Salford. Iain graduated from Salford with a first class honours, specialising in brass performance. He continues his studies at postgraduate level to develop his trumpet playing, in order to become a first-class trumpet player alongside the cornet.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help Iain to study for a Master of Performance at Salford University.

I would like to thank the trustees for deciding to offer me an award to help with my studies leading to a master’s degree in performance.