After a disappointing result at Butlins, we spent January working hard to prepare for the North of England Brass Band Championships and our rendition of Brass Metamorphosis by James Curnow. We thought this month’s blog would be a great opportunity to revisit our Meet The Band segment, featuring our front row cornet section.

This section is made up of Laura (Principal Cornet), Natasha, Michael, Emily and Mike who have given their unique insight into the Dunston Dragons.

CB: When did you all join Dunston Silver Band?

LAURA: About 5 or 6 years ago.

NATASHA: Almost five years ago and the committee three years ago.

MICHAEL: A year or two ago.

EMILY: Almost 10 years ago.

MIKE: One year ago.

CB: Why did you guys join DSB?

LAURA: I saw the band perform Dark Side of the Moon at the Peterlee contest and thought they were blinking awesome! So I called Keith and joined the week after. He even tried to persuade me to play sop… (needless to say she said no!)

NATASHA: I tried out a few North East bands but DSB stood out as the nicest bunch of people.

MICHAEL: I just wanted to start playing again and knew that Layla played for a nice band.

EMILY: I was asked to help out for a contest and I haven’t managed to leave yet!

MIKE: I am able to turn the heating off at home twice a week!

CB: Why did you pick the cornet? And if not the cornet what instrument would you play?

LAURA: I started playing the cornet in primary school as I saw some girls walking to school in my village carrying their cases, which I thought looked cool. If I didn’t play cornet I’d pinch Sarah’s flugel.

NATASHA: I wanted to play trombone when brass lessons were offered at my primary school but they told me I was too small and gave me a cornet instead. If I didn’t play cornet, I’d play the flugel or the horn I think.

MICHAEL: I was given a cornet in school to play and stuck with it through various bands in school and uni.

EMILY: I don’t think I ever chose to play cornet but was given one when I started lessons when I was 8. If I didn’t play cornet, I’d love to have a go at horn I think – nothing bigger cos it wouldn’t fit in my car!

MIKE: I play the corner because it is the closest relation to my “ proper” instrument, the trumpet.

CB: What is your favourite brass band piece?

LAURA: My favourite piece is Sandy Smith’s version of Gresford; it always brings a tear to my eye.

NATASHA: My favourite brass band piece would be a tie between Year of the Dragon and Fire in the Blood. And maybe Local Hero. Oh and Orange Juice..the list goes on..!

MICHAEL: Bandology

EMILY: My favourite piece is Fire in the Blood, which links to my favourite moment…

MIKE: Journey to the Centre of the Earth

CB: What is your best brass band moment?

LAURA: My proudest/best DSB moment is a tough call between winning the second section area OR having the band play me down the aisle at my wedding.

NATASHA: I have many favourite DSB moments – pretty much every Durham Miners Gala, including meeting Kay in the loos there and talking her into coming to DSB a few years back! Also playing Fire in the Blood at Butlins contest a couple of years ago, when the Band came off stage and were so pleased with our performance and what we’d achieved together (despite then coming 18th out of 24 – this didn’t matter in the slightest!)

MICHAEL: Probably the social side of the band outside of the bandroom.

EMILY: My favourite moment was probably playing Fire in the Blood at Laura’s wedding – such a magical moment! Who would have thought it would fit so perfectly?

MIKE: Playing as a “ringer” at a Belle Vue contest and winning! (Two for the price of one!)

CB: What is your brass band ambition?

NATASHA: I don’t really have any brass band-related ambitions other than to keep enjoying being in a band that works hard, keeps improving, and has fun whilst doing it.

MICHAEL: My only brass band ambition is to keep pushing to not come last at anything.

EMILY: My brass banding ambition is to still be enjoying playing and enjoying banding in 10 years time!

MIKE: To be able to spot a down-beat (other than his clothes!) and to continue to enjoy making music.

We hope you enjoyed this feature and you have learnt more about the Dunston Dragons!