When I was in Year 7 I had my first ever instrumental lesson. At first, I thought I would never be at the standard that I am at now. Fortunately, I have loved every second of playing my instrument, the tenor horn, from that first day.
For the entirety of Year 7 I had only reached Grade 1 standard and ended up getting a pass with merit in the exam; I was so happy with that result. Then in Year 8 I moved onto grade 2, where I thought that exam went horrifically wrong but ended up receiving a pass with merit again! Two grades in two years. Compared to everyone else in my year it was not the quickest. That made me sad but completely determined to get better.
In the summer holidays of Year 8 I went to see the Hexham Boat Races, and saw my first ever brass band performance. Immediately I was hooked and desperately wanted to join a band. My mam was so pleased when I told her. Whickham wind band was the closest, however they said I wouldn’t be experienced enough, so they got me in touch with Dunston Silver Band (i.e. the best band in the world!) I came along and watched a rehearsal, and I was astonished at how welcoming they were. After that I decided to join. My first rehearsal was amazing even though before I was nervous. Everybody was so happy and joyful. Bearing in mind I was only Grade 2, they were playing the piece ‘Fire in the Blood’ – it was so difficult at that moment in time!
Being a part of Dunston Silver Band has improved and changed my life in many ways. For example going to places I have never been before such as: Ovington, Dunfermline and Holmfirth. It has also massively improved my playing skills: before I joined the Band I was at Grade 2 level. Now I am doing my Grade 5 in November, and my Grade 4 result was pass with distinction.
Last year, the Dunston Silver Youth Band started with two brilliant open days, in which young people could pick up an instrument with little to no experience. I really enjoyed playing with them because it was exciting to see other people’s talents for playing brass grow massively in the space of a few short hours. Although being a young person myself, I sadly had to stop going to the Youth Band due to school demands and timing issues. However when they play in concerts with the more experienced band, it is always great to hear them and join in playing wherever possible.
In the future I hope to stay with Dunston because it is such a great band with amazing people and because being in the Band has already improved my playing so much.