A leading orchestral player, Denis was Principal Trombone in the London Symphony Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
During his time as a professor at the Academy from 2000-2011, he established a gold standard of trombone pedagogy alongside his colleagues Ian Bousfield and Dudley Bright. These methods of teaching are still carried forward today.
Denis was a trailblazer in instrument, mouthpiece and mute design and pioneered the adoption of larger bore trombones in the UK. His company, Denis Wick Products Ltd, became synonymous with the very best of British mouthpiece and mute design.
After retiring from teaching at the Academy, Denis was still a regular visitor to conduct brass repertoire sessions and his boundless enthusiasm, knowledge and ready wit as a raconteur was always a joy to witness.