This month the band has taken a short summer break after a fantastic lunchtime concert at Ushaw College. Our performance included many pieces that were in keeping with our historic venue. Our programme also reflected the challenges that our musical director, Aidan, had set us in rehearsals leading up to the concert; namely playing new pieces every rehearsal in order to work on both sight-reading and stylistic features to improve all round playing within the band.
As August has been a quiet month for the band in terms of gigs, this blog post is a great opportunity to learn some more about the band. For this month’s feature we are focusing on our horn section. Consisting of Sarah (flugel horn), Kay (principal horn), Angela (tenor horn), Claire (tenor horn) and Taylor (tenor Horn).
Five tough questions were given to the section to answer when they were interviewed by DSB blogger Chris Bolt. Read on to see their answers…
CB: When did you all join Dunston Silver Band?
SARAH: 2013
KAY: August 2014
ANGELA: I joined when I was ten years old
CLAIRE: 2016
TAYLOR: Nearly two years ago
CB: Why did you guys join the DSB?
SARAH: I joined after coming back from uni, I met Aidan there.
KAY: I was moving to Newcastle and knew I’d want to join a band in the area, I was playing at the Durham Miner’s Gala with my old band and met Natasha (cornet) and Laura (cornet) in a queue and Natasha added me on Facebook and kept in touch.
ANGELA: Before I joined I was sort of the band mascot and when finally I did join I was the first female!
CLAIRE: I joined because Laura asked if I would be able to come and play for a contest. After the contest Aidan and I had a conversation and I stayed.
TAYLOR: I joined because I love playing music and the best thing to was to join a brass band.
CB: Why did you pick the horn? And if not the horn what instrument would you play?
SARAH: I originally played cornet but my old band (Trimdon) needed a flugel player and I was asked to try it. I’d play euph if I didn’t play flugel because they get nice solos – though probably too many semi quavers for me…
KAY: I’m not sure that I exactly picked the horn, more like it picked me! I’d played cornet since I was 8 and joined DSB on the front row. When we qualified for the third section National Finals in 2015 we were without a solo horn, I knew we had an abundance of cornets at that point and asked if I could give the horn a go.
If not the horn or brass in general I’d say flute, I have one and taught myself the basics when I was a teenager.
ANGELA: The horn came to me by accident as I had played with Cowpen and Croften in Blyth and after having been married and two daughters I was asked to sit on the horn section on 2nd horn.
CLAIRE: I originally asked for a trombone and they didn’t have one so gave me a tenor horn! I decided that I preferred it and stuck with it when a trombone became available. I would play euph if I didn’t play horn. I have played euph a bit before and they get some lovely parts.
TAYLOR: I originally wanted to play the trumpet because it was well known but my lips weren’t the right shape. I’m glad I did get the horn.
CB: What is your favourite brass band piece?
SARAH: Fire in the Blood and most Paul Lovett- Cooper pieces.
KAY: MacArthur Park.
ANGELA: Les Preludes.
CLAIRE: Demelza.
TAYLOR: Land of the Long White Cloud.
CB: What is your brass band ambition?
SARAH: I don’t really have an ambition for band…yet!
KAY: My personal ambition is to play more solo pieces but as a band it would be to continue the growth of our youth band.
ANGELA: To be a part of the band for as long as possible.
CLAIRE: To continue to enjoy playing.
TAYLOR: To become a better player.
One final note… Dunston Silver Youth Band hosted their second Summer School with players of all ages attending with expert tutors to guide them. I think all who attended the afternoon showcase would agree that it is amazing how much difference can be achieved in such little time! A massive well done to all that attended and a massive thank you to Will Roberts and his team of tutors.
Hopefully you have gained great insight into the band and continue to follow our monthly blog for further updates, events and reviews.
Until next month!