Andrew McFarland - Percussion

When did I start playing? I can't recall but it seems like many, many years ago. Oh, now I remember, it was many, many years ago.  How many bands have I got through between then and now?  Due to the fact that no-one else will have me that figure remains at one; Haslingden.

When I was at the tender age of 12 years old my dad (he's the one with a 'D' on his head in the second photo - you will find him in our trombone section) came home to say that there might be a position of trainee drummer at the band. I had toyed with a few brass instruments before that but I thought drums sounded fun so I took him up on the offer and started attending the band. I watched the drummer at the time, Dennis, doing his stuff and banged a few things myself and slowly started to learn the drums.

Six months after joining, I played my first contest. The band was in the fourth section in those days and we played Eric Ball's Indian Summer at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester. I cannot remember exactly what I played but looking at the part, I am sure as the second drummer I probably hit the triangle about twice :)  Not to worry, WE WON!!! This contesting lark seems easy!  The pictures on the left show the celebrations afterwards and also contain some other current members of the band (including Melanie, my wife to be). Just click the photos to get a full description.

At some point over the next six years I became the band's only drummer and kept that position until I went to university at 18.  At this point, the band got another drummer to replace me (although it turned out I was back most weekends anyway - under the thumb already!). When I did come back I played wherever there was a position available as had kept up with the brass as well as the drums. After I finished university in 1992 I settled on second euphonium.

In 1997 I ran out of excuses and, as Melanie and I had already been together for 9 years at that stage,  we finally got married. We wanted a brass band at the wedding and, as most of our band were in the wedding party, we were very grateful to Skipton Properties Brass Band (who we were helping out a lot at the time) who played Melanie down the aisle to 'Procession to the Minster', all the hymns, a small selection during the signing of the register and back out again to Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance No.4.

I was very happy on second euph for about 10 years but in 2003, the band had moved steadily through the sections from fourth to third to second, the pieces had started getting harder and the need to practice became more and more intense. Not that I give up easily but at that point I jumped the euphonium ship and headed back to the calmer waters of the back of the bandroom and the relative safety of the percussion section :)

There is an irony in the fact that since going back on percussion I seem to have done more contests on brass instruments (including horn, baritone and several on trombone) than I have on drums. 'Jack of all Trades, Master of None' is one of the kinder descriptions of me in our band. I think the policy is 'We are short of a brass player and every other player in the country is busy - Andrew will do it!'.

In August 2005, Melanie and I had a little girl, Isabel Louise who is now 18 months old. I was quickest off the mark and I have already bought her a (toy) drum kit, long before she even knows what a Horn is. She is definitely going to be a drummer!!