Former players
Finlay:
Playing in the band has allowed me to grow in confidence and ability as a Bass Trombonist and become a more well- rounded individual – meeting so many new people along the way! Also being a member of the band opened up the opportunity to play for the Devon County Youth Brass Band at numerous concerts across the South West.
I am now studying at the University of Kent for a Military History degree. I am undecided what to do after university but possibly a career in the military or for a branch of the government such as the Foreign Office appeals to me. Crucially I will be continuing to play the Bass Trombone, as there are several brass groups active within the university campus that I am eager to be involved in.
Finally I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the members of Stannary Brass band who have made the experience so enjoyable and who work so hard to ensure that the band functions all year round.
Eleanor:
I started learning cornet aged 6 and joined the training band soon after. My family and I left the first practise armed with a tuba, cornet and horn, more than we bargained for, and my dad still plays in the band!
After a couple of years of training, then youth band, I moved up to senior band playing 3rd cornet and over the years I have worked my way up to solo cornet. I also play solo cornet in Devon County Youth Brass Band. I never truly left training band, and have always come along to help out. This has given me the chance to play pretty much every brass instrument and I conducted the group for over a year. It’s great to see each individual progress.
I achieved grade 8 cornet in late 2014 and started playing French horn in 2015, achieving my grade 8 just over a year later.
With the help of fundraising and grants we have been able to purchase some new and exciting music which appeals to the youth of the band, e.g. Journal of Phileas Fogg. Stannary Brass Band has paid for transport to get the youth of the band to the Devon County Youth Brass Band to help broaden their experiences and meet like-minded people. They have been able to purchase good quality instruments for everyone to play, including young people who wouldn’t be able to afford them.
The time came for me to leave the band when I got a place in HM Band Royal Marines playing French horn. This is something I could never have even dreamed of without Stannary Brass Band and it’s MD Peter Jones.
Although I will be living away during my training, I am sure I will be out carol playing with Stannary at Christmas!
Tom:
I started out learning the trombone in the beginners section of the band for a couple of years where I gained the ability to read music alongside playing the instrument. I was a keen drummer outside of the band environment and began to regularly play drums and percussion during band training sessions. A few years later I moved up into the senior band on percussion and soon found myself on the drum kit. This is where I settled and remained until the age of 18.
In that time the band has helped me improve my skill and given me many fond memories. I will now go on to study Live Sound Technology at university in the hope of pursuing a career as a sound engineer.
Posted on September 17, 2012
Former solo cornet player for Stannary Brass Band, Sam Fisher, is now a freelance musician - performer, conductor and composer/arranger. Sam studied music at Sheffield University and has played with well-known bands such as Brighouse and Rastrick, Grimethorpe Colliery Band and the Carlton Main. He also adjudicates at brass band contests.
Les Tucker
Posted on September 17, 2012
On Sunday 6th April 2003, former member of Stannary Brass Band, Mr. Les Tucker was awarded a Diploma of Honour. The award was presented at the West of England Championships, Riviera Centre, Torquay, “in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the Brass Band movement through the teaching of musicians”. The Diploma was conferred by the Master Wardens and Court of Assistants of the Worshipful Company of Musicians. The presentation was made by Mr. Frank Renton, conductor of Camborne Town Band, who were winners in the Championship Section that afternoon. Les was a valued member of Stannary Brass Band where he taught beginners to play and he is pleased and proud to see his ex-pupils continue to enjoy their music in adulthood.
Simon Stevens
Posted on September 17, 2012
Simon Stevens, former percussionist with Stannary Brass Band, is now working in California. Simon studied composition at the Royal College of Music in London. He was accepted onto a Scoring for Motion Pictures Program at the University of Southern California. Simon’s music has been recorded by ensembles such as the Hollywood Symphony Orchestra and Hollywood Chorale.
David Gray
Posted on September 17, 2012
Former soprano cornet player for Stannary Brass Band, David Gray, studied for a degree with the University of Sheffield and the Open University. He now works as a local music teacher, writes and arranges music, and is part of a band called “The Kingstons”.