A MANX-born musician who is now the principal trumpet player for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra will feature at the Manx Youth Band and Manx Concert Brass' Last Night of the Proms next month.

The event takes place at the Gaiety Theatre, Douglas, on Saturday, September 3. Allan Wilcocks will compere and the conductor will be Ian Clague.

Trumpet player Jon Quirk, who was born in Peel, became principal trumpet player for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in April 2001.

He received his first cornet lessons at the age of five from his father Donald - a euphonium player and teacher at Ballakermeen High School in Douglas.

Jon was soon playing with the Salvation Army Band in Douglas and - after his family moved to Bedford, England - began playing with the Bedfordshire County Youth Brass Band, Wind Band and Orchestra.

In 1979 he began five years of study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester with John Gracie - then principal trumpet player with the BBC Northern Orchestra - and later Howard Snell (former principal trumpet of the London Symphony Orchestra).

While at college he worked with all the professional orchestras in the north west and was also a member of the famous Fodens Motor Works Brass Band.

Jon was appointed sub-principal trumpet to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in 1986 and is a member of the Prince of Wales Brass Ensemble and the Little Big Time Band.

He regularly participates in City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra education and community projects.

For tickets for the Last Night of the Proms at the Gaiety ring the ticket hotline on 600555 or visit the Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal, Douglas.