The Cornet Section

Alf Hughes – Principle Cornet
I started playing when I was 9 years old and my first instrument was the Tenor Horn. I was quickly demoted to Cornet after joining Solent B Band. About 2 years later I went to Solent Concert A band and played at the National Finals for the first time. Since then I have been fortunate enough to have played at the finals another 7 times on various instruments, in various sections. I have played every type of instrument in a brass band except Trombone and Percussion, my favourite being Flugel and most disliked being Soprano.
I joined Chichester City Band when it was in the fourth section hoping for an easy life. However, after being in the band a month or so I was promoted to Principal Cornet and have been stuck there ever since. I would like to play an instrument other than Cornet, but my applications to date have been unsuccessful.
Memorable occasions have been playing at the Albert Hall, which I have done 4 times, the most recent being in 2000 when the Band qualified for the second section finals.
I enjoy playing in Chichester City Band including the social side of the band, where I have made many friends/drinking partners (most of whom seem to live at my house).

Roy Taylor – Solo Cornet

My banding career begun at the age of 7 when my parents decided that I needed a hobby that would keep me off the streets and out of trouble (poor misguided fools!). I learnt to play Cornet with Lanner & District Silver Band and moved from the Junior band to the Seniors at the age of 12.

I moved to Redruth Town Band at the age of 14, at the time they were the youngest Championship Section band in the country with an average age of 18. Under the baton of Leonard Adams the band enjoyed success with visits to the Albert Hall and appearances on the “Granada band of the year” T.V. programme. Whilst with Redruth I moved from Cornet to Baritone and then on to Euphonium.

A move to Camborne Town under Steve Sykes saw me move back onto cornet before I decided to splice the main brace and join the Royal Navy.

I played with Caharrack & St Day band before spending most of the 90s playing for Pendennis Brass on Soprano cornet, which included 3 national final visits.

In 2000 I was posted to Gibraltar and was the principle Cornet player for Rooke band.

I moved back in January 2003 and joined Chichester City Band in June of that year.

If I have a band-free Saturday then I can be found on the terraces supporting AFC Wimbledon (I’m a sucker for the underdog!).

Martin Webb – 2nd Cornet

I joined the band in 1989, working my way up the cornet section from 3rd cornet to solo cornet. In 1995 I went to study music at the Colchester Institute and graduated with a BA (Hons) degree in music in 1998. Whilst there I guest played with Hatfields of Colchester and Ipswich Co-op. On completion of my studies I returned home to the Chichester City Band. Since 1995 I have played in all five national final appearances by the City Band.

I suppose a good a place as any to start is the beginning. My playing career started aged 11 when answering a note pinned to the music room at secondary school: ‘Wanted – brass players (tuition given)’. Why the cornet? Just happened to be standing in the right place in the queue when the instruments were being given out!
I was taught by the then M.D. of the Southsea Band, Fred Monk throughout my school life. I was invited to join that Band in 1972 on 2nd cornet. Apart from a 3-year break when I went to Plymouth to study my degree (and played for the Royal British Legion (Crownhill) Band), Southsea, later the Lucketts Travel (Southsea) Band has been my only home until sadly it disbanded in the summer of 2000.
During my time at Southsea, I have played cornet in various seats – including reaching the dizzying height of Principal Cornet at one stage – before settling into my present seat. I was fortunate enough to contest with Lucketts as far away as Germany and to undertake concert tours in France, Germany, Holland and Austria.
Following the disbandment of the Lucketts in 2000 I was very pleased to accept JW.’s invitation to join the Chichester City Band and (small world) an opportunity to meet up again with playing colleagues from my stint with Lucketts. The highlight of my playing career to date was to come with Chichester City in October of that year – contesting the National Finals in the Royal Albert Hall.
The friendliness, drive and commitment of the Band are qualities that I’m sure fuel the continued successes of the Band, on both the contest and concert stage and I am pleased to be a part of that.

Carol Williams – 3rd Cornet

My music making began at the age of seven when I started having piano lessons and learnt recorder at school. I was selected at the age of 10 to learn to play the Cello. Fortunately, this only lasted for a year. I was a member of the West Sussex County Brass Band and enjoyed staying at Lodge Hill Residential Centre on a number of occasions. I joined C.C.B at the age of 12 on Tenor Horn before moving on to Cornet. At this time C.C.B was a 4th section Band and rehearsed only one night a week. The Band at this time was male dominated with at the most only 4 females. Today though this is not the case. I have played in a number of positions throughout my time on Cornet ranging from Principal Cornet (yes its true) to 3rd Cornet. At the age of 16 I became the first junior representative on the Committee and remained on the Committee for approximately the next 20 years holding the post of Librarian, Assistant Secretary and Secretary during which time the Band were fortunate enough to obtain a lottery grant. The Band is where I met Husband Dave who used to play with the Band on Bass, and also held the post of Musical Director. A small group from the Band played at our Wedding. I have three daughters the eldest of which is a member of the Training Band on Tenor Horn. The other two are keen swimmers and swim for Bognor Regis Swimming Squad. My Banding highlights would have to include playing in all five National Finals that the Band have qualified including Symphony Hall and the Albert Hall.

Chris Hatton – 3rd Cornet

I am a late starter to he brass band world, my father (Noel Horner), sister (Liz) and 2 children (Adam & Sally) have been involved in brass bands, but I never learnt to play myself. So why now? It was a challenge; I was told I was too old to learn. I started lessons and joined the trainig band at Chichester 6 years ago when my daughter was playing in the contest band, I was promoted to that band a year later. I originally played the tenor horn and then moved to cornet when there was a shortage on the back row. My playing has improved thanks to lessons from Alf and the patience and tolerance of John, but the band was in he 4th section when I joined and now in the 1st section, the music is much harder, so I am still struggling, perhaps I am too old!