Where it all began…
I began my musical career at the age of 8 or 9 by teaching myself an ancient Organ that must have been at least 40 years old on School holidays at my grandparents house. This progressed onto the Piano (and Keyboard) and then the Trumpet when I was 11 yrs old at High School in Walkden, Manchester.
I had a few lessons privately with my trusty old Music Teacher, Mr Potter, who helped and encouraged me to persist in playing, until my lips almost bled. He used to hang a trumpet from the door frame and make me blow without touching the instrument in order to stop my lip from being so sore, and try to get a better embouchure! Strange I have to admit, but it did work!
I then began playing in the School Band as the only Trumpet player, until I joined Tyldesley Brass Band (known as Lancastrian Building Society Tyldesley Band back then). The conductor was Brian Taylor when I first joined, followed by Darrol Barry, who swiftly took us from 3rd Section to 1st over a few years.
By this point I had swapped instruments to the Cornet at the age of 12 and played between 2nd and 3rd cornet for the best part of 6 years. My first contest was Pontin's at Southport (semi-finals) where we played Philip Sparke's Music for a Festival, which has subsequently become my favourite test piece so far! Whilst I was still in the band, I also played solo cornet (of a fashion!) in a youth band at Fred Longworth High School which was conducted by Charlie Taylor (of Tyldesley band).
Tyldesley Band changed sponsorships several times, and I finally left the band in 1994 when it was Classic Racing Tyldesley Band. I enjoyed a good few years playing in the band throughout my youth, and I met some great players, and friends, along the away. I decided to leave because I was almost 18 yrs old, and felt I was missing out on discos's and boys! I was also in my second year at Leigh Music College where I was studying Performing Arts (Music based) and was finding it increasingly difficult to manage everything. I passed my Music B-TEC Advanced, and GCSE Music grade A, and did my Music Theory exams up to grade 8 whilst at college.
I played various instruments throughout my youth, including: Piano/Keyboard, Saxaphone, Tuba, Clarinet, Drums and a little bit of Guitar and Bass Guitar! I still play the keyboard now as well as the Cornet. I also enjoy singing too. I have sung at a few small events and occasionally sing with my friend in her punk band from time to time.. (no punk stuff I may add, just a general jammin' session!) I am completely self taught in all the instruments I play, so I found it a little more difficult to understand and learn the theory side of things, and I have picked up bad habbits, but I slowly got there. I am from a non-musical family and have never understood why I was blessed with the gift I have got (of a fashion!) but my family have supported me along the way.
In the "time-out" period of not playing the Cornet (12yrs to be exact!) I have done a HNC in Business Studies, met my current partner Karl (when I was 17), began my career in Local Government (7 years now) as an ICT Assistant, and currently as a Supported Tenancy Officer for Teenage Parents (of 5 years) got Married in Cyprus 2003, moved house from Worsley to Haslingden to be near my family, and had a wonderful little boy named Ben William who is 20 months old. We are due another little boy in May 2007. I must be mad…….!
So, how did I get back into brass banding?
Well, my lovely and wonderful neighbours (creep…) Craig and Gwen from H&H band live directly at the back of my house (uncanny) and invited us to a street party last summer when the world cup was on. I didn't really know them at the time and had seen them in their walking out jackets in their back garden, but was too scared to ask! Whilst at the street party, my hubby Karl asked Gwen if she was in a brass band and it went on from there! I was accosted (very nicely of course) by Gwen, her Sister and her dad (all in the band, and a little "merry" from the old vino shall we say) and after a friendly grilling , I was invited to go for a blow and see what happened from there.
Since June 2006 I have never looked back. I picked up a Cornet, and after a very rusty few moments, I regained some of my blowing power! It has taken almost a year, but I can say I am half way there to being the player I was 13 yrs ago. I have had lots of help from my friends in the band, particularly, Gwen, Craig and Melanie, and I thank David and the rest of the band for giving me the chance to play again, and for encouraging me to have the confidence to be where I am today. I look forward to many more years (and Contests) of playing in H&H Band, and particularly looking forward to a well -earned drinking session once the baby has been born!
