Trumpet and Cornet Teacher, Dave Land, Brass Performance for Prostate Cancer Awareness

April 13, 2026

"Music has always had the power to bring people together, to comfort, and to inspire action. This project is Dave’s way of doing exactly that — using his extraordinary talent to create something positive, meaningful, and potentially life-saving."


Accomplished musician, Dave Land, has completed a new project of a brass performance of  ‘O MAGNUM MYSTERIUM’ - Morten Lauridsen, in aid of Prostate Cancer UK, a cause very close to him. Having taught Trumpet and Cornet at Norwich School for over twenty years, this performance was filmed in Norwich School's atmospheric Barborelli Room.


Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men with more than 64,000 men being diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. Early detection can make a huge difference, PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test is quick, straightforward. With this poignant piece and sharing his story, Dave Land hopes to encourage more men to have that conversation with their doctor and consider getting tested, it could potentially save lives.


Acclaimed British musician and composer Jools Holland commented, "I'd like to congratulate and support Dave in the excellent job he's doing to promote awareness of prostate cancer and to encourage men to get checked with a simple test."


Dave is one of those musicians whose career reads like a highlight reel of the music world. He began playing trumpet in the Band of HM Coldstream Guards before moving into an extraordinary freelance career. Over the years, he has performed in some of the greatest West End shows, including Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express, Annie Get Your Gun, and Movin’ Out, and has recorded with artists such as Katrina and the Waves, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, and Shirley Bassey.


His playing can also be heard on numerous film soundtracks, including Walt Disney’s Herbie Fully Loaded, Mr Bean, Look Who’s Talking, and, more recently, Paddington in Peru. Beyond that, his recordings have featured across a wide range of television programmes, films, documentaries, and adverts — from Jamie Oliver and A Place in the Sun to countless campaigns for brands such as Tropicana, Halifax, Shredded Wheat, MG Cars and Budweiser. Over the years, he has also enjoyed chart success with artists including Nik Kershaw, Leo Sayer, Breathe, Tracey Ullman, and, of course, Katrina & the Waves.


Dave has spent over 25 years working in London’s West End and has toured worldwide with an incredible list of artists, including The Four Tops, the original Elvis Presley TCB Band, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Shirley Bassey, Ben E. King, The Supremes, Suzi Quatro, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Deniece Williams, Belinda Carlisle and Mari Wilson & The New Wilsations. His experience and musicianship are truly remarkable


Dave Land is a dedicated teacher and valued member of our community, having previously performed two brass videos in the chapel.

  • 'Pupils and Staff of Norwich School perform Charpentier's Prelude to the Te Deum' which you can watch by clicking here.  This video has had a staggering 226 thousand views – a first for Norwich school video views!
  • Ladies in Lavender by Nigel Hess arranged & directed by David Land, Norwich School Brass Ensemble plus guests, pupils from local Norfolk schools. You can watch this by clicking here.


Dave Land commented, "I am incredibly proud of our Norwich school brass students for these two outstanding video performances!"


Dave's mission has received a lot of traction from the BBC in both writing and broadcast. With the more people he reaches, the more people who may be encouraged to get tested.


You can watch Dave Land's powerful performance below;


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We are thrilled to announce record-breaking GCSE results for 2026. Overall percentages are as follows: 37% at grade 9 - best performance ever, including Covid years 59% at grades 9-8 (A*) – best performance outside Covid years 76% at grades 9-7 (A*-A) – best performance since Covid 87% at grades 9-6 (A*-B) 97%: overall pass-rate (grades 9-4) Outstanding individual performances included: 1 candidate with 11 x 9 or better; 6 candidates with 10 x 9 or better; 16 candidates with 9 x 9 or better; 24 candidates with 8 x 9 or better; 32 candidates with 7 x 9 or better; 38 candidates with 6 x 9 or better. Overall, of the 1163 grades received, 431 were at grade 9, 681 at 9-8 and 884 at 9-7. Steffan Griffiths, Head, commented, “This is the first cohort to benefit from the school’s decision to offer greater optionality regarding number and choice of subjects at GCSE. We are all delighted that our Year 11 have taken advantage of the change to such brilliant effect. “Taken collectively, they are the best GCSE results in the school’s history and I offer heartfelt congratulations to the pupils on their generation. They are in a wonderful position now to make the most of our outstanding Sixth Form provision and we look forward to welcoming them back in September.” Assistant Head (Fifth Form), Andrew Curtis, said, “I offer sincere congratulations to our Upper 5 pupils on their record-breaking results. Well-supported both at home and at school, they have excelled academically while also making the most of co-curricular opportunities in sport, drama, music and the wider community. We look forward to supporting them as they make the exciting transition to benefit from the development available both inside and outside the classroom in our Sixth Form.”
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By Eleanor Lewis August 13, 2026
A Level results day is always an emotional occasion, and this year was no different. For the Class of 2026, it marked the culmination of two years of dedication, perseverance and hard work and there was much to celebrate. From pupils who have been with us from Lower 1 to those who have joined us for Sixth Form, it is inspiring to hear their reflections of their time in Cathedral Close and learn about their planned next steps. We caught up with just a few of this year’s leavers to find out more about their individual journey.
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