What/Who influenced you to begin playing and why?
My Father, who played flugel horn and then my teacher, Ken Johnson, who was the conductor of my first band Hatfield Colliery.
Was Cornet your first choice. If not, was there any other instrument you were interested in?
Although my first attempts where on the flugel horn, it was to be the cornet that I always wanted to play.
Instrument make/model and mouthpiece?
Currently, Besson Prestige Cornet and Denis Wick no.2
Favorite solo and band piece?
Band Piece - Resurgam by Eric Ball
Solo - a lot of favorites, but I do like quiet a lot from the salvation army cornet repertoire
Favorite recording (not limited to brass)?
As far as solo recordings go, I have to say Winters Tale recorded by Martin Winter and any band recording I recorded at Grimethorpe under Elgar Howarth
A bit about your teachers?
As I mentioned earlier, Ken Johnson taught me all I know and I am forever grateful. Over the past 14 years, I have been very fortunate to work with great players and conductors, so I have learned a lot from them by just listening.
Any future performances that you are excited about?
As I answer this question Black Dyke are starting preparation for the National Finals. Having just won the British Open, we are looking forward to the contest.
Proudest achievement? (musical or otherwise)?
I think at this present moment in time, winning my first major competition, this years British Open, has to be the proudest.
As a soloist, what would you regard as your strongest asset and what do you have to work harder at to achieve?
Strongest assets definitely include consistency and a very approachable personality. I work very hard and I am always willing to improve.
Do you suffer much from performance anxiety and if so, what, if any, preventative measures do you use or would recommend?
Also, what is your view on the use of beta-blockers?
Personally, I don't think that there is anybody that doesn't suffer from performance anxiety, but different people deal with it in different ways. Over the past 11 years (10 with Grimethorpe and nearly 1 with Dyke) I have been constantly in the public eye at contests and concerts so you get used to the pressure. If performers have to use certain preventative measures then you have to question are they going to become addictive and is the problem really to be solved by a tablet!
Where would you like to take your musical talents to in the future (i.e. is there any other areas or disciplines you would like to work in) ?
Currently my teaching divides itself between schools (primary and secondary), Royal Northern College of Music and Birmingham Conservatoire, so I enjoy passing on my experiences and advice to all different levels of students. A lot later in my career I will do more conducting, but playing means so much to me at the moment.
Who do you admire as a performer (not limited to brass) and why?
I admire every principal cornet player / cornet soloist, because I know how hard the job is!! Apart from cornet or trumpet players I really do enjoy listening to a good violinist.
One piece of playing advice you would like to pass on?
Always enjoy playing and never be satisfied.
What has been the most inspirational/memorable performance you have taken part in or witnessed and why?
Two performances spring to mind!! 1997 European Championships - Grimethorpe conducted by Major Peter Parkes playing Epic Symphony and of course 2006 British Open - Black Dyke conducted by Dr Nicholas Childs playing Vienna Nights.
Do you have a set practice routine and if so what is it and how much do you like to practice?
When I get time to sit down and practice I always concentrate on the basics (breathing, articulation, lip flexibilities etc) and I always practice for 1 hour.
Having recorded a couple of solo Cd's can you tell us how you go about preparing for such a mammoth task in terms of choice of repertoire, stamina etc?
Also, do you yet have any further plans for more solo Cd's down the track and if so can you tell me anything about them?
Be mentally prepared as well as physically prepared. Stamina is vital but enjoy the experience especially the end product. Future plans definitely include further CD's but nothing is set in stone just yet.
What do you enjoy/dislike about teaching?
I enjoy seeing my pupil / student getting better and enjoying their playing. I dislike people who think they have achieved everything!
Teaching isn't always the easiest thing to do. What do you find most difficult about it and any words of advice for other brass teachers?
I think that it is very important not to make the lesson boring. This doesn't help the performer and if the pupil / student is struggling then find different ways around the problem!
Where do you see the future of cornet performance going and how can this be developed (i.e., through new commissions or performance mediums)?
New commissions for the repertoire always help and a great piece that I recorded was Blaze by Phil Lawrence. There seems to be new composers / arrangers popping up at the moment so the band movement and repertoire seems to be in good hands.
In terms of cornet playing, what books/devices/accessories etc could you not live without.
Allen Vizzutti Methods, Arban, Charles Collins Lip Flexibility to name a few.
If you were anointed king of the cornet, what crimes would you put players in the stocks for and what things make you do a happy dance?
They would be hung for not practicing!
Have you ever had any major setbacks in your playing career that you have really had to work to overcome i.e. embouchure problems, major loss of confidence, a knock in the chops (and that sort of thing). If so, how have you overcome these issues?
No! But I got hit in the chops with an ice hockey puck once whilst on tour in Canada and I found that a bag of frozen peas help wonders!
Do you suffer any playing related allergies such as cold sores etc. If so do you have any recommended treatments or preventative measures.
No.
You have traveled the world with your cornet. Is there anywhere you have not yet been that you would love to go as a performer (country/venue etc).
I would love to go back to Sydney and play in the Opera House again!
You have recently had much conducting success with the Mount Charles Youth Band (especially
the win at the Pontins Youth Championships). When/Why did you begin to conduct and do you have any plans to expand upon this? Which conductors do you admire and why?
I gained my LRSM in Bandmastership whilst at college and I always have enjoyed picking up the stick. Mount Charles came about through family connections (my wife used to play at Mount Charles and my brother in law plays bass trombone). I ended up conducting them to victory at the National Community Championships and at the British Open Youth Championships. Two contests, two wins and now I've retired (until the next time!). I have been very lucky to play under a lot of very good conductors but the conductor I regard as the best is Elgar Howarth.
At the very young age of 19, you became the Principal Cornet of Grimethorpe Colliery Band, a position you held for 10 years.
Did you find that settling into this position was quite a smooth transition from your previous bands or was there a steep learning curve? If you had your time again, would you do anything differently (in terms of being PC of Grimethorpe)?
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Grimethorpe. The transition into the big league proved ok because I always kept my standard.
Earlier this year you were appointed to the 'hot seat' in banding (BD obviously!), an amazing achievement.
What are you aspirations for this position? Is there anything that this will allow you to do that you could not do before and what are you most looking forward to in Dyke?
Its the seat that every aspiring cornet player wants to achieve and its an hon our to sit in such a great band. Winning the Open in my first year with the band was fabulous and all I want to do is enjoy my time at dyke and hopefully enjoy more success.
Any embarrassing/funny moments in performance that you wouldn't mind telling me about?
I do a mean Riverdance!
A bit about your family?
Very happily married to Becca, who is joining Black Dyke after the Nationals, and I have a very supportive mum and dad who enjoy listening to the band.
Anything else you want to add?
I have really enjoyed answering these questions Paula and I would like to wish you all the best in the future.
Thanks Richard
