About: I started playing brass in the late 1960s when my classmate Rosemary brought a shiny new cornet in a purple-plush lined case into show and tell time at our junior school in Harlow. I asked my parents if I could have one too; they got one on hire-to-buy, and that was it - I was hooked! I can still remember the smell when I opened the case...
There were school, youth, and junior brass bands at Netteswell, the local senior school: the junior school band needed a bit of bass, the youth band lent out a spare euphonium, and so began the route to the heavy end of the band world. I joined the junior brass band at 10, the Youth band shortly afterwards, and was promoted to BBb bass as soon as soon as I could hold it. Many foreign tours UK gigs and friendships kept me there until University. I thought that would be the end of the band chapter of my life, but I came back to work in Harlow, a band needed a bass, someone got my number, my arm was twisted, (they said "it’s like riding a bike, you won't have forgotten") and I was hooked again. I've been playing continuously ever since. I currently play with a concert band and another brass band locally, and deputise quite frequently for other bands further afield.

Favourite Piece of Music: Invidious...how could I choose just one?! Eric Ball would always be up there with the greats at the top of my list though.