How long have you played with Leyland Band and what position do you currently hold?
Four years with Leyland having arrived in the UK from Japan via Sydney. Played third cornet for my first eighteen months with the band, and then progressed to second cornet which I really enjoy.

What’s the best thing about playing in a brass band?
I love playing in a brass band because all the players are trying to make the best brass music together, and the challenge of playing so many different styles of music with just brass and percussion.

What’s your highlight so far with Leyland Band?
Playing in the Royal Albert Hall, particularly in 2019, performing Titans Progress. Such a special place to play in.

How did you get involved with playing a brass instrument?
My first musical experience was playing drums and glockenspiel in the elementary school marching band. When I got to junior high in Kyoto I began playing trumpet for the first time.

What was your earliest musical experience?
At the age of four I began piano lessons but was too young to practice at home and I gave it up by the age of six. My teacher wasn’t very happy that I didn’t practice.

Who has been your biggest influence?
My high school music teacher was a very good trumpet player and he really inspired me and my friends to enjoy playing. I’m still in contact with him and he has grown to like brass band music very much as I have.

Do you enjoy practising or find it a chore?
I do enjoy practicing, trying to improve means I can do my best in performances.

Were your parents musical?
My mum played organ and the violin, so music has always been a part of my life.

What piece of music do you most enjoy playing?
My favourite piece to play is our band signature march, Royal Tiger. I know the late Richard Evans was known as the march king in brass bands, and I was lucky to meet him a few times. It’s a special march for me.

What’s the best and worst things about performing?
The best thing about performing is the feeling of togetherness in the band and is even more exciting when I feel the audience is really enjoying the performance too. There are no ‘worst’ things about performing for me.

What can audiences expect from a performance by Leyland Band?
Our audiences expect not just quality playing, but an enjoyable and varied mix of music which entertains them. That’s what we will bring to our performance in Morley. I’m really looking forward to playing there again.

How long have you played with Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band?
I’ve played for Carlton Main for a total of four and a bit years! I spent three years as Assistant Principal Cornet back in 2017-2020, before playing for the Fairey Band and Grimethorpe Colliery. In December 2021 I returned to the band on Principal Cornet and have loved every moment.

What’s the best thing about playing in a brass band?
My favourite aspect of playing in bands is the sense of camaraderie and team-spirit that you just don’t find as strong or as prominent in any other musical setting.

What’s your highlight so far with Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band?
I can’t pick one so I’ll choose two instead! Number 1 has to be performing at the British Open on Principal Cornet in September 2022. Number 2 has to be playing with the band at the 2017 World Music Contest in Kerkrade, Holland.

How did you get involved with playing a brass instrument?
I started playing at around 4-5 years of age, the story my parents tell me is that I picked up a trumpet at a friend’s house and here we are years later!

What was your earliest musical experience?
My earliest memory of playing is probably my Grade 1 ABRSM exam on trumpet! I remember how terrified I was before I walked in!

Who has been your biggest influence?
My mum has definitely been the biggest influence on my music, she always instilled a strong work ethic and a desire to go on and achieve my dream!

Do you enjoy practising or find it a chore?
I enjoy practicing, strangely! I am a bit weird and I find something enjoyable and satisfying out of practicing and being methodical with a routine!

Were your parents musical?
My mum was musical, she played clarinet and saxophone to a very high level. Dad isn’t musical at all and we often joked that instead of playing an instrument, he played the fool!

What piece of music do you most enjoy playing?
Again, I can’t just pick one so two will have to do! Firstly I would say Elgar’s Nimrod. I just find this such a moving piece to play. Secondly would be Jerusalem by Hubert Parry. This, like Nimrod, is so moving and patriotic and always brings a tear to my eye!

What’s the best and worst things about performing?
The best thing has to be the feeling of performing and making music for people to enjoy and listen to, the worst thing is probably the nerves before a big contest!

What can the audience expect from a performance by Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band?
The audience can expect a bit of everything! There will always be something for everyone. We always perform to a high standard and we always perform so many styles and genres of music so that our concert is accessible to as many people as possible.