West End favourites, iconic film scores and world-class musical talent will come together for a special evening in Peel next week, as Manx Concert Brass welcomes two guest performers to St German’s Cathedral.

Audiences can look forward to music from The Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables, alongside film themes by composers John Williams and Hans Zimmer.

Taking centre stage will be Mark Wilkinson, principal cornet of Foden’s Band, who helped the ensemble secure its 14th British Open title last month.

He will be joined by popular Manx actor and singer Damian Kneale, who appeared in the official UK tour of Les Miserables and recently led the Manx Last Night of the Proms celebrations.

Both guests will perform solo numbers and join Manx Concert Brass for an evening featuring familiar musical favourites.

Mark began playing the cornet aged six and has been principal cornet of Foden’s since 1992, establishing himself as a leading figure in the brass band movement.

During more than three decades with the band, he has helped secure major titles at home and abroad, including the British Open and European Championships.

He has also performed internationally as a soloist, while dedicating much of his career to developing young musical talent through teaching and tutoring with leading youth brass bands and music institutions.

In 2022, Mark received the prestigious Iles Medal in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the brass band movement.

Manx Concert Brass chairman Stephen Maddocks said the band was delighted to welcome both performers for the concert.

‘All of us at Manx Concert Brass are looking forward to playing at a first-class venue with two top-class guests,’ he said.

‘We are really excited to welcome Mark Wilkinson back to the Island, a truly world-class performer who has become a friend of the band.

‘To have the principal cornet of the British Open Brass Band Champions play with us and take time out from his busy schedule as a soloist and teacher is a real honour and we were thrilled to see Foden’s secure its 14th British title only a few weeks ago.

‘We are also delighted Damian is joining us once again. He is a real favourite with local audiences and it should be a fantastic evening.’

The concert will also mark an important anniversary for Manx Concert Brass.

Thirty years ago, the band triumphed in the Fourth Section at the National Brass Band Championship Finals in Cardiff, performing Philip Sparke’s Malvern Suite.

To commemorate that achievement, the three-movement work will feature in next week’s programme, bringing a piece of the band’s own history back to the concert stage.

The programme will bring together stage and screen music, guest solo performances and a work central to the band’s history.

The performance forms part of the Cathedral’s Foundation for Music and the Arts concert series.

Admission is free, with the concert starting at 7.30pm at St German’s Cathedral in Peel.