Whitburn’s double signing for two principal seats

Whitburn Band has announced two new principal players have signed up – Jason Hou on euphonium following his relocation to Scotland and Sam Duzinkewycz on tenor horn player after joining from Unite Scotland Kinneil Band.

Both players will make their competitive debut with Whitburn at the forthcoming National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain at the Royal Albert Hall in London in October.

Jason said: “I feel incredibly honoured, as I believe I will be the first Chinese musician to perform at the UK National Brass Band Championships.

“This is a very special milestone for me, both personally and as a Chinese brass musician.

“From the very first time I came into contact with Whitburn, I could immediately feel the incredible passion within the band and everyone’s genuine love for music. I am very happy to be part of such a wonderful musical family, and joining Whitburn genuinely feels like a dream come true.”

Sam commented: “I’m incredibly honoured to have been asked to join Whitburn on solo horn. It's a band with a massive reputation and a busy calendar of exciting gigs which I'm looking forward to being part of.

“I'm very aware that my first contest appearance with the band will be at the Royal Albert Hall. Having never played at the Nationals, I'm excited to get stuck into the piece and fulfil one of my childhood dreams playing on one of the biggest stages in banding.

“I'm also sad to be leaving Kinneil, a band I've grown very attached to. I'm very grateful for their support over the past six years and for the friends I’ve made as a result.”

Sam started his banding journey with Tullis Russell Youth Band, and by the time he was 17 he had progressed to the solo horn seat with the senior band. He also progressed through the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland, from the NYBBS Children’s band to solo horn with the Seniors.

He joined Kinneil on solo horn in 2020, and has enjoyed competing in the Championship Section and at the British Open Spring Festival, where the band achieved third place at the Senior Trophy and promotion to the Senior Cup.

A former Fife Young Musician of the Year, his other banding highlights include winning the West of Scotland Entertainment Contest and the Scottish Challenge in 2025.

Jason, who is from Beijing, has been studying in England for the past few years at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire with Chris Robertson, and has now moved to Scotland.

In the UK, he has also studied at the Royal Northern College of Music with Steven Mead and David Thornton, and played with Milnrow and Hawk Green. Furthermore, he has performed with the Beijing Wind Orchestra and Hong Kong Brass Band.

Whitburn Band chairman Charlie Farren said: “We are delighted that Jason and Sam have both joined the band. 

“We are all looking forward to performing at the National Championships and beyond, with Sam and Jason on principal horn and principal euphonium.”