David Thornton plays Solo Euphonium for the famous Black Dyke Mills Band

When asked to comment on David Thornton, Howard Snell (conductor and former princial trumpet of the London Symphony Orchestra) said, "He is that rare kind of musician - a true artist whose qualities transcend the instrument itself." David began euphonium lessons at the age of eight and after unusually fast progress was accepted as the first ever euphonium student at Manchester's prestigious Chetham's School of Music. During his time at school David held the principal euphonium position of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, completing seven courses between 1992 and 1995. David completed his degree from the Royal Northern College of Music in 2000 (also winning the Sema Group Concerto Prize) having studied with Steven Mead, and in July of the same year was appointed as principal euphonium of the Black Dyke Band.

 4barsrest.com, the Brass Band Internet magazine commented "...it was the position he was destined for, and since taking over he has made it his own with a series of performances in contests and concerts that have been invariably breathtaking." 

His success has earned him many awards, such as scholarships from the Countess of Munster Trust and the Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe, the National Euphonium Conference Solo Prize 1995, 1997 and 1999, first prize at the Verso Il Millenio International Euphonium Competition, but most notably as the International Euphonium Player of the Year 2001.

David is now regarded as one of the foremost euphonium players in the world and is in great demand as a guest soloist with ensembles throughout the UK, as well as further a field. He has been featured on BBC television, BBC radio and Classic FM. David has performed as a guest player with the BBC Philharmonic, Birmingham's Royal Ballet, Remix-Ensemble (Portugal's premiere contemporary group), as well as all the major brass bands in the country.

He also teaches at the Royal Northern College of Music, the University of Huddersfield, the University of Leeds, the University of Manchester and Chetham's School of Music.

In summer 2003, David was appointed Associate Conductor of the Longridge band, based near Preston.