Mike Dikantsa

Originally I come from the Congo and grew up in the Salvation Army Music. I learned music autodidactically from an early age. At the age of 14 I had my first private trumpet lessons in the Congo. I had always played music very actively. In Congo I played in the Salvation Army band "Poto-Poto" from 1991-1995. I was a member of the jazz band "Africa Brass" from 1995-1999. In 1998/99 I played with the salsa band "SOS Salsa". I am personally a very versatile musician and am skilled in many musical styles. Besides trumpet / cornet and all other brass instruments, I also play piano, drums, percussion, drums, guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, saxophone and vocals.

In 1999 I moved to England for an internship. There I joined the "Staines" Salvation Army Band UK.

2001-2006 I supported various events and led church bands.

In 2002 I received my first music diploma (Trumpet DipABRSM) at the Royal Academy of Music.

In 2003 I joined the Salvation Army Band in Darlington and played in the "Northeast of England Youthband", a brass band full of young talented musicians. In Darlington I taught trumpet and African drumming classes and workshops at local schools.

During my time in England I had the opportunity to play with various brass bands, jazz and pop project bands. I was able to attend several master classes of world famous trumpeters like Philip Smith and Roger Webster.

Since 2006 I live in Switzerland, until 2008 I lived in Birmensdorf ZH. Musically I support the Salvation Army in Oerlikon (Korps Zürich Nord), played in various engagements, live music in bars, musical accompaniment, and in various smaller projects.

A highlight was my participation in the audition as trumpeter for the chamber orchestra of Lausanne. I made it to the final elimination, but unfortunately the position was given to another one. For the 100th anniversary celebration of the parish of Bütschwil SG in 2006, I accompanied the festivities with trumpet solos together with Roman Bislin on piano.

Since 2010, I work 80% full-time as Music & Gospel Arts Director of the Salvation Army Switzerland, Austria and Hungary. My main task, besides organizing, is to support and promote music and art creators within the Salvation Army through projects and workshops. I have conducted the Brass of Praise, National Music Corps of Salvation Army Switzerland, from 2011-2014. Then I had passed on this task to focus more on the promotion of young musicians.

In between I like to compose and arrange for Brass Band, e.g. in 2015 pieces of mine were played at the International Congress of the Salvation Army.

Currently I am conducting the Brass Band Posaunenchor Amriswil since 2015.

I admire the work of Andrew Lloyd Webber. My favorite musicians are Wynton Marsalis, Arturo Sandoval, Philip Smith, Roger Webster, and various Congolese musicians. I like jazz, which helped me understand other cultures and break down barriers.

Originally I come from the Congo and grew up in the Salvation Army Music. I learned music autodidactically from an early age. At the age of 14 I had my first private trumpet lessons in the Congo. I had always played music very actively. In Congo I played in the Salvation Army band "Poto-Poto" from 1991-1995. I was a member of the jazz band "Africa Brass" from 1995-1999. In 1998/99 I played with the salsa band "...