Behind the music with Beth Cordall

As principal percussionist with the KNDS Fairey Band, Beth Cordall brings rhythm and energy to every performance. Though she’s only been with the band for three years, her impact is already being felt, both musically and socially.

Beth’s journey into percussion began with a moment of curiosity and inspiration. “I was playing flute in an orchestra when I noticed the percussionists seemed to be having so much fun, and one of them had pink drumsticks!” she laughs. That spark led her to teach herself percussion before starting formal lessons, and she’s never looked back.

Fairey Band is the first brass band Beth has ever performed with, and she quickly found her place. “I really appreciate the colour percussion adds to the ensemble,” she says. “There’s always so many different things to do.”

One of Beth’s standout moments with the band was performing the soundtrack to The Flight Before Christmas, featuring Shaun the Sheep, to accompany the film. “The band does a lot of innovative projects in particular music to film. With this film, it was a new arrangement by members of the band, and we all performed with headphones and a click track,” she explains. “This was tricky but meant the film and music was perfectly in sync which gave the show a real wow factor. We're doing it again this December and I can't wait!

Beth grew up in a musical household, her mum was a cellist, and her earliest memory is playing a toddler-sized violin with a spike so she could pretend to play cello alongside her. Beth’s family used to enter a family entertainment class at the annual local musical festival in Guernsey.

One of her most memorable musical influences was conductor Semyon Bychkov during Beth’s time in the National Youth Orchestra. “His approach was gentle and kind, he brought the best out of every player, and he was so passionate about the music.”

Beth enjoys practising, especially the challenge of perfecting tricky passages. “I’m a real perfectionist,” she admits. “I find playing difficult bits with a metronome over and over, gradually speeding up and improving, quite satisfying!”

When it comes to performing, Beth loves the moment everything comes together. “The best thing is hearing everyone in the band deliver what we’ve been rehearsing.” The worst? “How your body reacts to adrenaline – fast xylophone bits are much harder with clammy, shaky hands!” 

Beth’s favourite pieces include anything Christmassy, especially those with sleigh bells. She also loved playing Sand and Stars by Thierry Deleruyelle, one of the first test pieces she performed with the band. “It was so enjoyable to play, really interesting for the band, and I think the audience loved it too!”

Audiences attending a KNDS Fairey Band performance can expect an exciting programme, brilliant players, and lots of energy. “We’re really looking forward to working with master conductor and broadcaster, Frank Renton,” Beth adds.

Beth Cordall performs with KNDS Fairey Band on Saturday 29 November, 7.30pm at Pudsey Civic Hall. 

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