For many years Denis Wick has had an international reputation as trombonist, brass teacher and conductor. Having studied in London at the Royal Academy of Music, his first professional appointment was in the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra as the second trombonist. He became principal trombonist of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in 1952, leaving in 1957 to join the London Symphony Orchestra, also as principal trombonist, and remained there until his retirement in 1988. During his time with the London Symphony, which eventually became the longest tenure of a principal chair in the history of the orchestra, he played under many of the world's greatest conductors.

Despite the demanding schedule of the LSO, Denis was also a member of the London Sinfonietta and, for a short period, the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble. In addition, he made many appearances as a soloist. He has had concertos written for him by several British composers; among them, Gordon Jacob, Buxton Orr and Alun Hoddinott.

His conducting work began at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in the 1960s and has naturally been centered on brass and wind ensembles. It also included for many years an excellent youth symphony orchestra which has bred generations of professional players. His own London Wind Orchestra made prize-winning recordings in the 1970s which set new standards of excellence for this kind of ensemble.

Denis has been involved in music education for many years; having been appointed professor of trombone at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 1967, he taught there regularly until 1976, continuing to work as a consultant professor and conductor since that time. Many of today's finest professionals studied with him; his intensely musical yet very practical approach to teaching is widely respected.

Denis Wick's textbook, Trombone Technique, is now in its fifth edition and is used worldwide as one of the most important publications of its kind, with translations available in Japanese, German, Swedish and Italian. Denis Wick is perhaps best known today among brass players for his line of brass instrument mouthpieces and mutes. In 1989, he received the ITA Award and in 1990 was elected Second Vice President in charge of international affairs. From 1992-1995 he served as President of the British Trombone Society.

Although now retired from professional trombone playing, Denis Wick continues to be in demand as a conductor and for masterclasses worldwide. He was appointed professor of trombone at the Royal Academy of Music in 2000 and awarded a fellowship in 2002. His publishing company, Denis Wick Publishing, specialises in wind band and brass ensemble repertoire.